News & Commentary
Mar 27, 2025
Court Hears Arguments in First Amendment Challenge to Federal Arts Funding Restriction
Changes to NEA policy in response to ACLU lawsuit do not solve the problems for arts organizations or deprive court of jurisdiction, attorneys argue
Mar 07, 2025
In Response to ACLU Lawsuit, National Endowment for the Arts Removes Certification Requirement on Funding Applications
Artists no longer need to attest that they will not “promote gender ideology” to apply and the NEA’s funding bar will be decided by the Court
Mar 06, 2025
Artists Mount First Amendment Challenge to New Grant Requirements for National Endowment for the Arts
Artists and theater groups have today filed a lawsuit challenging a new certification requirement for National Endowment for the Arts’ grants that requires applicants to attest that they will not “promote gender ideology” in order to be eligible for funding
Feb 13, 2025
ACLU and RWU Law School Clinic Seek Emergency Relief Over ACI’s Failure to Accommodate Muslim Prisoners’ Religious Freedom
A lawsuit filed today by attorneys for the RWU Prisoners’ Rights Clinic and the ACLU of RI challenges the R.I. Department of Corrections’ restrictive policies governing the religious freedom of Muslims incarcerated at the ACI, including significant constraints on their ability to observe Ramadan
Feb 03, 2025
ACLU Calls on Glocester School District to Halt Arbitrary Restrictions on Student Access to Books
the ACLU of RI sent a letter to Glocester school district Superintendent Renee Palazzo, urging her to rescind directives she issued to the Fogarty Memorial School’s librarians to allow students to check out only “age appropriate” books.
Jan 29, 2025
ACLU Slams Brown University’s Ongoing Suspension of Pro-Palestinian Student Group; Calls for Immediate Reinstatement
In a letter sent today to Brown University President Christina Paxson and other members of the University administration, the ACLU of Rhode Island and its student chapter condemned the school’s three-month-long “interim” suspension of the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).
Jan 15, 2025
ACLU of RI Statement on Governor McKee’s Actions Limiting Access to State House and State of the State Address
Governor McKee’s decision to prohibit the public’s access to the State House rotunda and to prevent news cameras from recording the State of the State address raise serious free speech concerns.
Oct 23, 2024
ACLU of RI Sues Department of Corrections Over Violations of Attorney-Client Privilege
A lawsuit filed today by ACLU of Rhode Island cooperating attorneys alleges that the R.I. Department of Corrections (RIDOC) is interfering with the rights of ACI prisoners and their attorneys to share information confidentially and, in the process, violating their constitutional rights
Mar 26, 2024
Westerly Resident Dismissed from Weekapaug Fire District Shore Access Case After ACLU Intervention
In a victory against retaliatory lawsuits, the Weekapaug Fire District filed a motion dismissing Westerly resident Caroline Contrata from a lawsuit regarding a highly contentious shore access dispute in the town.
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