News & Commentary
Aug 05, 2025
ACLU of RI, GLAD Law, RI Center for Justice Respond to Brown University’s Agreement to Adopt Language from Trump Administration Anti-Transgender Executive Order
We stand with all students, faculty, and staff who feel hurt, disrespected, and fearful following the announcement of this agreement. It is shocking that an institution that has long welcomed, celebrated, and protected LGBTQ+ people on campus would so quickly cave in to the administration’s cruel and coercive agenda.
Jul 25, 2025
RI Judge Grants Motion to Block Trump-Vance Administration’s Unlawful Restrictions on Funding for Critical Services for Survivors, LGBTQI+ Youth, and Unhoused Communities
Rhode Island District Judge Melissa R. DuBose has granted a request to temporarily block the Trump-Vance administration from adding harmful new restrictions on federal grant programs
administered by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Jul 24, 2025
ACLU of RI Settles False Arrest Suit of Woonsocket Man for $550,000
Concluding a lawsuit involving a disturbing case of serious police misconduct, the ACLU of Rhode Island announced the favorable settlement of a case on behalf of Woonsocket resident Mack Blackie who was twice unlawfully and falsely arrested and detained by Woonsocket police.
Jul 21, 2025
Broad Nationwide Coalition Sues in Rhode Island to Block Trump Administration’s Unlawful Restrictions on Health and Housing Grants
New Certification Requirements Threaten Critical Services for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivors, LGBTQI+ Youth, and Unhoused Communities
Jul 14, 2025
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.
Jul 01, 2025
R.I. Latino Arts Argues in Court that “Gender Ideology” Is Still Unconstitutionally Penalized by National Endowment for the Arts
Group asks court to strike down grant restrictions on various legal grounds
Jul 01, 2025
Settlement Reached in Smithfield School District Social Media Censorship Lawsuit
The ACLU of Rhode Island today announced the favorable settlement of a federal lawsuit that challenged, as a violation of the First Amendment
Jun 30, 2025
RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence Seeks Injunction Against Trump Administration Grant Requirements
Attorneys for the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV) and a nationwide group of 16 other state domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions have asked a federal judge to issue a preliminary injunction against a host of unlawful grant restrictions
Jun 16, 2025
Challenging New Federal Grant Requirements, ACLU Of RI, Lawyers’ Committee for RI and National Organizations Sue on Behalf of RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Coalitions
A nationwide group of 17 state domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions, led by the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV), filed a lawsuit today seeking to stop the Trump administration from imposing unlawful restrictions on grants
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