Events marking Elorza’s inauguration on tap for Monday

PROVIDENCE – Jorge O. Elorza, the city’s 38th mayor, was sworn in at 12 a.m. Monday at a private ceremony held at his home amid family and friends.

Probate Court Judge John E. Martinelli administered the oath of office for Elorza, 38.

Elorza, a former Housing Court judge and professor at the Roger Williams University School of Law, is the son of Guatemalan immigrants who worked in factories and was raised in the city’s West End.

A Classical High School graduate, Elorza also attended the University of Rhode Island and Harvard Law School.

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As a law professor at Roger Williams University, Elorza co-founded the Latino Policy Institute, dedicated to research on Latino and minority communities in Rhode Island. While serving on Providence’s Housing Court, Elorza created a process to hold large banks accountable for abandoned properties in the city.

Elorza joined with local faith leaders at an Interfaith Breakfast at the Providence Career and Technical Academy on Monday morning.

His public inauguration will take place at 2 p.m. on the City Hall steps. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

Victor Capellan, co-chairman of Elorza’s transition team, will serve as master of ceremonies.

The fire department and police departments’ Honor Guard will conduct the presentation of colors. Rev. Maria DeCarvalho will give the invocation.

The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by students from the first and second grade classes at the Lillian Feinstein School. The National Anthem will be performed by Ashley Soto, a Classical High School junior.

Gov.-elect Gina M. Raimondo will deliver greetings from the state of Rhode Island.

Christian hip-hop artist Jamie Espinal will recite “The Time Is Now” – a poem written for the inauguration.

The oath of office will be administered by retired state Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan Jr.

“Now more than ever, we must be creative, we must be resourceful, and we must work together to launch our city forward,” Elorza said in a statement. “Providence’s prosperity depends on us. I am confident that, together, we will seize the moment and provide the leadership our great city deserves.”

The ceremony will conclude with a benediction offered by James P. Huguley. The Rhode Island Highlanders Pipe Band will perform during the exit processional.

Following the inauguration, Elorza will hold a reception inside City Hall that is free and open to the public.

At 7 p.m., Elorza will host his One Providence Inaugural Celebration at the Cranston Street Armory. The celebration will feature food and performances that highlight Providence’s artistic, cultural and culinary scene.

The inaugural celebration, which was free and was open to the public for registration, has sold out. Parking is limited in the area of the Armory, and there will be limited valet parking and on-street parking. Guests who registered and received tickets are encouraged to carpool, use free or discounted rides from Uber or bike ride and make use of the event’s bicycle valet.

No taxpayer dollars were used to pay for any of the inaugural events, according to information provided by Elorza.

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