Market Square is a market square

Market square

The market square is a feature of many European and colonial towns. It is an open area where market stalls are traditionally set out for trading, commonly on one particular day of the week known as market day....

 in Providence, Rhode Island

Providence, Rhode Island

Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...

. It is located at the intersection of present-day North Main Street and College Street.

History

In the 17th century the land comprising modern day Market Square was originally owned by Chad Brown

Chad Brown (minister)

Reverend Chad Brown I was one of the first ministers of the First Baptist Church in America and a co-founder of Providence, Rhode Island...

, progenitor of the Brown family, later affiliated with Brown University

Brown University

Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...

.

The current Market House

Market House (Providence, Rhode Island)

Market House is an historic market house in Market Square in Providence, Rhode Island.The house was built in 1775. Originally, the bottom level of the structure was used as a market and the upper level was used for holding meetings in the tradition of English public market buildings...

, built in 1775, within Market Square was the focal point of colonial Providence, where many townspeople would buy produce and exchange news and gossip.

On September 7, 1897 Emma Goldman

Emma Goldman

Emma Goldman was an anarchist known for her political activism, writing and speeches. She played a pivotal role in the development of anarchist political philosophy in North America and Europe in the first half of the twentieth century....

 the famous anarchist and feminist was arrested for "Open-Air Speaking" and charges of "Attracting a Crowd" at Market Square when she attempted to speak in public, after the mayor had warned her not to deliver any more open-air speeches.

She had been traveling to lecture on topics such as "Why I am an Anarchist-Communist," "Woman", "Marriage", the recent assassination of the Spanish Premier, and a speech "Berkman's Unjust Sentence," about Alexander Berkman

Alexander Berkman

Alexander Berkman was an anarchist known for his political activism and writing. He was a leading member of the anarchist movement in the early 20th century....

's imprisonment for the murder of Henry Clay Frick

Henry Clay Frick

Henry Clay Frick was an American industrialist, financier, and art patron. He founded the H. C. Frick & Company coke manufacturing company, was chairman of the Carnegie Steel Company, and played a major role in the formation of the giant U.S. Steel steel manufacturing concern...

.

After keeping Goldman in jail overnight, the Providence authorities ordered her to leave town in twenty four hours or face a three-month prison term.