News & Commentary
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.
Feb 15, 2024
ACLU Defends Westerly Resident Sued by Fire District for Defending Public Access to the Shore
In its third skirmish with the Weekapaug Fire District in less than six months, the ACLU of Rhode Island has come to the defense of Westerly resident Caroline Contrata, who has been sued for monetary damages by the District in a high-profile shoreline access case
Jan 24, 2024
ACLU and RWU Law School Clinic Sue over ACI’s Failure to Accommodate Native American Prisoner’s Religious Freedom
Cooperating attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island filed a federal lawsuit against DOC officials for refusing to accommodate the religious practices of a Native American prisoner.
Jan 18, 2024
ACLU of RI Releases Report on Public Comment Policies of City and Town Councils, School Committees
The ACLU of Rhode Island released a report today detailing the written public comment policies of every city and town council and school committee across the state.
Dec 29, 2023
Lawsuit Challenges Landlord’s Retaliatory Conduct Against Tenants Seeking to Organize
The R.I. Center for Justice and cooperating counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of RI today filed a lawsuit on behalf of four low-income tenants in Pawtucket and West Warwick who have been threatened with eviction for associating with Reclaim RI
Oct 31, 2023
STATEMENT: ACLU of Rhode Island Statement on the Firing of Miguel Sanchez by Governor Mckee
We have received a number of inquiries about the legality of Governor McKee’s decision to fire Miguel Sanchez due to his expression on social media of his personal views about the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Sep 08, 2023
Court Enters Consent Order Reversing Censorship of Warwick Public Comment Speaker
A consent order has been entered in the federal lawsuit filed two weeks ago by ACLU of RI cooperating attorneys against the Warwick City Council for stifling the free speech rights of local resident Robert Cote, who was barred last month from speaking at a Council meeting.
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