News & Commentary
Aug 14, 2003
ACLU Files Brief in Support of Resident Sued by State Senator for Free Speech Activities
The ACLU of R.I. has today filed a “friend of the court” brief in the R.I. Supreme Court in support of the free speech rights of West Warwick resident and Republican Town Committee member Alan Palazzo, who was sued for defamation by state Senator Stephen Alves for his newspaper letter-writing activities. The court brief, filed by ACLU volunteer attorneys Joseph Cavanagh, Jr. and Staci Kolb, argues that the lower court correctly dismissed Alves’ lawsuit as a “SLAPP suit” designed to intimidate Palazzo for exercising his First Amendment rights.
May 05, 2003
Barrington Cow Case Resolved
A settlement in the Barrington “blue cow” case was announced tonight. Under the settlement approved by the Barrington Town Council meets, the owners of Imagine gift store will be allowed to keep their cow statue, and the Town will review its sign ordinance for possible revisions. The town also agreed to pay ACLU volunteer attorney Carolyn Mannis $5,000 for her work on the case.
Apr 29, 2003
Bristol Tattoo Ordinance Challenge Settled
The R.I. ACLU announced today the formal settlement of its lawsuit challenging a Town of Bristol ordinance which banned persons between the ages of 18 and 21 from getting tattoos. Last November, the ACLU filed a federal lawsuit challenging the ordinance as a violation of the First Amendment and the privacy rights of young adults. The suit was brought on behalf of Alfred Figueiredo, owner of the Forbidden Art Studio, a Bristol tattoo parlor, and a potential customer, Nicholas Arruda.
Mar 04, 2003
U.S. Supreme Court To Hear Arguments In Internet Censorship Case With Rhode Island Plaintiff
In a major ACLU free speech case addressing the First Amendment and the Internet, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments tomorrow, Wednesday morning, March 5th in the Bush Administration’s appeal of a Congressional law that would force libraries to deny adults and minors access to constitutionally protected speech online. One of the plaintiffs in this lawsuit filed by the National ACLU and others is a Rhode Island-based website, AfraidToAsk.com, which discusses sensitive health care issues. The R.I. Library Association has also filed a “friend of the court” brief in support of the ACLU’s position.
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