First Amendment

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution outlines five fundamental rights that individuals have with regard to the government: freedom of speech and expression, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, freedom to petition the government, and freedom of religion.

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Learn about the First Amendment's five fundamental rights, and scroll down to explore our work protecting First Amendment rights in Rhode Island through litigation, advocacy, and education.

The Latest

Know Your Rights
Photo from a protest of a man wearing a black jacket and gloves holding a sign with a megaphone and a star graphic, with the text "dissent is patriotic" and the ACLU logo.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: Protests & Demonstrations

Know your rights when it comes to protests, marches and demonstrations.
Know Your Rights
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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: Students & The First Amendment

News & Commentary
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Appeals Court Rejects Latest Trump-Vance Administration Attack on Funding for Solutions to Homelessness

Count Continues to Block Unlawful Grant Restrictions that Would Push Nearly 200,000 Americans into Homelessness
News & Commentary
Dark blue background with a shape of text from the amicus brief overlapped with a dark and light blue gavel. A pink squiggle line accents the left of the shape with the text.

ACLU Files Court Brief in Public Employee Free Speech Case Arguing that “Disparaging” Speech is Not Entitled to Less Protection

The brief argues that the court applied an inappropriate standard by judging the speech based on its tone, rather than any disruptive effect it had in the workplace, potentially diminishing free speech protections for all public employees.
Legislation
Apr 02, 2026

Unlawful Interference with Traffic (H 7550)

Status: Held for Further Study
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Mar 26, 2026

Social Media Algorithms (H 7954)

Status: Held for Further Study
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Mar 26, 2026

Ban Cannabis Advertising (H 7856)

Status: Held for Further Study
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Mar 25, 2026

Workplace Psychological Safety Act (S 2502)

Status: Held for Further Study
Position: Oppose