News & Commentary

In a 15-page report released today, the ACLU of Rhode Island said that a review of the latest statistics on police department traffic stops in the state shows an increase in searches of racial minorities even as white drivers are more likely to be found with contraband when searches are conducted. The statistics cover January through March 2005, the second quarter of a year-long study mandated by state law. That collection of data follows up a similar, comprehensive study of traffic stop data for 2001-2002.

Three local groups concerned about freedom of the press and the public’s right to know today criticized R.I. Attorney General Patrick Lynch for refusing to join with 34 fellow Attorneys General –- including those in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont – who last week filed a brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the appeal of journalists Judith Miller and Matthew Cooper. These two nationally respected journalists are facing contempt of court sentences for refusing to reveal sources in response to a federal grand jury subpoena.

The ACLU today filed a “friend of the court” brief in support of Cranston Mayor Stephen Laffey’s lawsuit seeking an order allowing him to continue to host a radio talk show on WPRO. The brief, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals in Boston, precedes oral argument in the case scheduled on Thursday. Last month, U.S. District Court Judge Mary Lisi rejected Laffey’s request for a temporary restraining order against the Board of Elections’ ruling that the radio show constituted an illegal campaign contribution under state election law.

For the third time in two years, the ACLU of Rhode Island has taken legal action against the Town of North Smithfield, this time for a violation of the state’s open records law. The lawsuit, filed in Superior Court by ACLU volunteer attorney Karen Davidson, is on behalf of realtor Sam Butterfield, who unsuccessfully sought access to the Town’s on-line database of tax assessment information without having to provide personal data.

The ACLU of Rhode Island has filed a lawsuit against the state Division of Motor Vehicles, charging the agency with a complete failure to comply with an important state law designed to ensure open and responsive government. That law is the Administrative Procedures Act (APA), which requires state agencies to provide advance public notice and seek public comment before they adopt rules and regulations governing their activities.

The American Civil Liberties Union charged today that the FBI and local police are engaging in intimidation based on political association and are improperly investigating law-abiding human rights and advocacy groups, according to documents obtained through a series of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. In response, the Rhode Island ACLU today filed a FOIA request seeking similar documents about activities taking place here.

The ACLU of Rhode Island applauded a ruling issued today by the R.I. Supreme Court, holding that a woman seriously injured during a high speed police chase was entitled to a trial on her claim that police acted recklessly in pursuing the suspect who hit the car in which she was a passenger.

In a 42 page report released today, the ACLU of Rhode Island charged that many police departments are failing to comply with provisions of the strict law against racial profiling passed last year by the General Assembly.

Claiming that the ruling has “significant ramifications for First Amendment rights,” the ACLU has called on the state Board of Elections to reverse its decision barring Cranston Mayor Stephen Laffey from continuing to host a radio talk show on WPRO. That ruling held that Laffey’s “receipt of airtime” from WPRO constituted an illegal “in-kind political contribution” from a corporation.