News & Commentary

The ACLU of Rhode Island and the R.I. Center for Justice announced today that, in response to mediation arising out of pending federal litigation challenging the R.I. Department of Corrections’ (RIDOC) use of solitary confinement on individuals at the ACI

Black Lives Matter RI PAC and the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island issued the following statement in response to Mayor Smiley’s press conference this morning outlining plans to address the use of ATVs and dirt bikes in Providence

ACLU of RI Report Details “Alarming” Rates of School Suspensions of K-5 Students and “Extraordinarily High” Suspension Rates of Students Based on Race and Disability

A federal judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit on behalf of a 13-year-old Black honors student who was handcuffed and arrested by a Pawtucket school resource officer who wanted to "make an example" of her.

These are not decisions that should be unilaterally made by law enforcement. The public should have a say about whether they want potentially invasive and discriminatory technologies in their neighborhoods.

RILS and the ACLU of RI have filed a brief in R.I. Superior Court seeking to overturn a decision issued last year by the Council of Elementary and Secondary Education that the groups claim violate the rights of English Language Learners.

Citing repeated instances of police not activating body worn cameras in encounters with the public, the ACLU of RI has called on PVD Pubic Safety Commissioner Paré and Police Chief Clements to take stronger steps to enforce the department’s body camera policy.

Frustrated by the release of annual reports that minimize racial profiling patterns, three civil rights groups issued a letter urging significant amendments to the state law requiring the data analysis and reports.

The ACLU has filed a complaint letter with the RI Board of Elections over a decision by the Woonsocket Board of Canvassers to move a polling place with a large number of non-white and low-income voters to a location outside the district.