News & Commentary

The American Civil Liberties of Rhode Island has raised serious concerns with a Johnston town ordinance passed last week that could impose “unwarranted, and potentially unlawful, hardship and penalties on individuals who have not engaged in fraudulent activity.” The ordinance, aimed at preventing non-residents from attending Johnston Public Schools, requires every family to submit an affidavit affirming residence their residency in the town. If they do not, the school may refuse to enroll or re-enroll a student.

The ACLU of Rhode Island released the following statement today in response to reports of police actions yesterday at William E. Tolman Senior High School (VIDEO) and during the resulting protests this morning in Pawtucket:

After WJAR-TV reported that a family was told they could not send their children to Johnston Public Schools because they were living in a motel in town, the ACLU of Rhode Island contacted the Rhode Island Department of Education to urge Commissioner Ken Wagner to promptly intervene.

By Megan Khatchadourian, Assistant to the Director

The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island has urged the Providence City Council to reject an ordinance that would restrict certain residential housing from including more than three students. In a letter to the Council, ACLU of Rhode Island executive director Steven Brown stated: "The ordinance’s undue stigmatization of Providence’s students is contrary to the City’s reputation as a robust host to the local colleges and universities. The focus on this one criterion is unfair and extremely unlikely to help resolve any of the legitimate concerns prompting calls for action in the first place.” 

By Hillary Davis, Policy Associate

By Johanna Kaiser, Communications & Development Associate