Residency Restrictions Halted: Last week we filed a class action lawsuit to challenge the state’s new residency restrictions for sex offenders. This law isn’t just ineffective—it’s counter-productive and unconstitutional. With just days until many individuals would be uprooted from the residences and possibly made homeless, the ACLU obtained a 10-day temporary restraining order to stop the enforcement of the law. On Wednesday, that restraining order was extended through at least mid-January.
#RaceInRI: Many elected officials and state officials have been discussing race and racial disparities as part of the Providence Journal’s Race In Rhode Island series. If lawmakers want to address racial disparities and other issues related to race in Rhode Island, they should support bills that help close the wage gap, repeal voter ID, end the so-called War on Drugs, and prevent prison-based gerrymandering. Our recommendations are here.
Girls Just Wanna…: Jezebel recently wrote about a Florida elementary school PTA that planned a boys-only science night while the girls went to a dance. It sounds outrageous, and it is, but it’s not a unique situation. Our report Girls Just Wanna Darn Socks found that these gender-segregated events occur regularly in Rhode Island and that they often promote the same old-fashioned gender stereotypes. Call us.
Suit On Behalf of Inmate Settled: In 2009, we filed a lawsuit against the RI Department of Corrections on behalf of an ACI inmate who we alleged was retaliated against by prison officials for public criticizing a prison mail policy and seeking our legal assistance. We settled the suit this week.
We Can Stop the School-to-Prison Pipeline: We were pleased to read that Providence’s interim school superintendent is dedicated to reducing suspensions and ending the school-to-prison pipeline. We are hopeful he will join in supporting legislation that would keep children in the classroom and out of the criminal justice system.
ICYMI: Last Friday the RI DMV agreed to provide a written driving test in Italian to Danilo Saccoccio an Italian national in need of a language accommodation. We filed a federal civil rights complaint on behalf of Mr. Saccaccio in July after the DMV refused to offer the exam in any language other than English, Spanish or Portuguese. We’re pleased for Mr. Saccaccio, but this one-time accommodation does nothing to ensure the many other Rhode Islanders with limited English proficiency will not be denied an accommodation when they seek a license. We’re continuing with our complaint.
