Government Transparency
We work daily to improve citizens' access to public records and meetings through litigation, public education and advocacy.
Learn more about open government, and our work championing government transparency through litigation, advocacy, and education.
Why is open government important?
- Openness in government is a linchpin of democracy, ensuring that the voters have the information they need to choose their leaders and then evaluate their performance in office.
- Public access to information is an essential tool in the fight against corruption in government.
- Public access to information can save taxpayer dollars and expose poor government practices.
The public has the right to know what its government is doing. After all, isn't our government supposed to be "of the people, by the people, and for the people"?
More resources:
The Latest
ACLU of RI Calls on Attorney General to Release Body Camera Footage of Police Shooting of Pawtucket Resident
In a letter citing a lack of public transparency by the Pawtucket Police Department, the ACLU of Rhode Island today called on Attorney General (AG) Peter Neronha to immediately release all police body worn camera (BWC) footage of the shooting last month of resident Sebastian Yidana.
ACLU Sues Over Social Media Censorship by Smithfield School District
In a case seeking to protect individuals exercising their First Amendment rights from retaliation, ACLU of Rhode Island cooperating attorneys filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Smithfield School District’s actions in blocking a local school critic from the official X accounts of the district
ACLU Sues Brown University Police for Refusing to Provide Arrest Records to Journalists
Through a lawsuit filed today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island is contesting the Brown University police department’s position that it is not subject to the state’s Access to Public Records Act (APRA) and can keep its arrest reports secret from the public.
Cases, Campaigns & Legislation
Oct 22, 2023
GoLocalProv, LLC v. Providence Public School District
Cooperating attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island today filed a lawsuit against the Providence Public School District (PPSD) and the City of Providence on behalf of GoLocalProv, LLC, for providing late and inappropriately redacted public records information
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