Wood v. Butler

  • Filed: December 29, 2023
  • Status: Active
  • Court: Rhode Island Superior Court
  • Latest Update: Dec 31, 2025
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Summary

The R.I. Center for Justice and cooperating counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of RI have filed a lawsuit on behalf of four low-income tenants in Pawtucket and West Warwick who have been threatened with eviction for associating with Reclaim RI, a non-profit agency that organizes tenants to vindicate their rights to safe and healthy housing conditions. In October 2025, the case was brought to RI Superior Court and an amended complaint was filed.

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You can hear the voicemail recordings from the property manager threatening to evict tenants who talk to the Reclaim RI organizers by clicking the video above.

Alternatively, you can listen to the voicemails here: Voicemail 1, Voicemail 2

Case Number:
PD-2025-5550
Attorney(s):
Lynette Labinger; Jennifer Wood of R.I Center for Justice

Documents

Rhode Island Superior Court
District Court Sixth Division
Where it started

News & Commentary

Jan 08, 2026

ACLU of Rhode Island Challenges Landlord’s SLAPP Suit Against Tenant Organizers

ACLU of RI files counterclaim alleging that landlord's lawsuit is a classic SLAPP suit aimed at chilling tenants’ freedom of speech.

Dark pink background with two shapes, a light blue accent and a blue and dark red image of a door and handle.
Feb 06, 2024

Interim Agreement Filed in Lawsuit Challenging Landlord’s Retaliatory Conduct Against Tenants Seeking to Organize

Attorneys for the R.I. Center for Justice and the American Civil Liberties Union of RI today announced an interim settlement in a lawsuit filed last month challenging the threatened evictions of tenants for associating with Reclaim RI.

Dark pink background with two shapes, a light blue accent and a blue and dark red image of a door and handle.
Dec 29, 2023

Lawsuit Challenges Landlord’s Retaliatory Conduct Against Tenants Seeking to Organize

The R.I. Center for Justice and cooperating counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of RI today filed a lawsuit on behalf of four low-income tenants in Pawtucket and West Warwick who have been threatened with eviction for associating with Reclaim RI

Dark pink background with two shapes, a light blue accent and a blue and dark red image of a door and handle.

Learn More About the Issues in This Case

Economic Justice First Amendment View All Issues

Related News & Podcasts

News & Commentary
Jan 08, 2026
Dark pink background with two shapes, a light blue accent and a blue and dark red image of a door and handle.
  • First Amendment

ACLU of Rhode Island Challenges Landlord’s SLAPP Suit Against Tenant Organizers

ACLU of RI files counterclaim alleging that landlord's lawsuit is a classic SLAPP suit aimed at chilling tenants’ freedom of speech.
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Feb 06, 2024
Dark pink background with two shapes, a light blue accent and a blue and dark red image of a door and handle.
  • Economic Justice

Interim Agreement Filed in Lawsuit Challenging Landlord’s Retaliatory Conduct Against Tenants Seeking to Organize

Attorneys for the R.I. Center for Justice and the American Civil Liberties Union of RI today announced an interim settlement in a lawsuit filed last month challenging the threatened evictions of tenants for associating with Reclaim RI.
News & Commentary
Dec 29, 2023
Dark pink background with two shapes, a light blue accent and a blue and dark red image of a door and handle.
  • Economic Justice|
  • +1 Issue

Lawsuit Challenges Landlord’s Retaliatory Conduct Against Tenants Seeking to Organize

The R.I. Center for Justice and cooperating counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of RI today filed a lawsuit on behalf of four low-income tenants in Pawtucket and West Warwick who have been threatened with eviction for associating with Reclaim RI