News & Commentary

In response to the reported arrest by ICE agents of an undocumented immigrant outside a Providence courthouse, ACLU of RI executive director Steven Brown today issued the following statement:

An array of groups and individuals that advocate for the rights of the homeless sent a letter today to Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza commending his vow to veto a discriminatory anti-smoking ordinance passed by the City Council last week. The ordinance, enacted under the guise of promoting public health, bans smoking in downtown Providence’s Kennedy Plaza area. 

Ruling in an important ACLU of Rhode Island lawsuit dealing with the rights of medical marijuana patients, R.I. Superior Court Justice Richard Licht today ruled that a Westerly fabrics company discriminated against Christine Callaghan when the offer of a paid internship was rescinded solely because of her participation in the state’s medical marijuana program. In its decision, the court held that the state’s medical marijuana law, which bars discrimination in employment against “cardholders,” applies to job applicants like Callaghan.

The ACLU of RI is proud to testify today in support of the Community Safety Act at the Providence City Council's Ordinance Committee public hearing.  The comprehensive ordinance was spearheaded by the STEP Up Coalition to ban racial profiling and other discriminatory practices by Providence law enforcement, and "change the way that police interact with members of our community…"

The ACLU of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Disability Law Center have sent a letter to every police chief in Rhode Island urging them to ensure their policies comply with federal anti-discrimination laws regarding accommodations for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The letter was prompted by the organizations' recent settlement of a federal lawsuit on behalf of Woonsocket resident David Alves. In July 2015, Alves, who is profoundly deaf, was unlawfully arrested and detained overnight by Woonsocket police and was not provided an interpreter or any other services to allow him to communicate. 

ACLU of RI executive director Steven Brown issued the following statement addressing yesterday’s actions by Cranston police in ticketing individuals engaged in peaceful protest.

In honor of Sunshine Week and open government, here's an example of the absurdities that sometimes result when the public is denied their right to know. A redacted version of our plaintiff's police report from a suit we won in 2008 (presumably the missing section contains highly sensitive information):

Lately, we’ve gotten a surge of requests for our Know Your Rights information on anti-Muslim discrimination, police practices, and protests and demonstrations.  Given the recent deportation raids, Trump’s “border wall” and “Muslim ban” executive orders, and the nationwide protests that have sprung up in response, we’re not surprised.  Here are quick links to some Know Your Rights pamphlets – to keep you informed and help your efforts to educate others. Feel free to share these widely.

The “blue lives matter” movement has made its way to Rhode Island. On Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hear two bills on the subject. One would reinstate the death penalty for the murder of a police officer “by ambush.” The second would enhance penalties for crimes committed against police officers by making them “hate crimes.”