News & Commentary

The ACLU of Rhode Island released the following statement today in response to reports of police actions yesterday at William E. Tolman Senior High School (VIDEO) and during the resulting protests this morning in Pawtucket:

The ACLU of Rhode Island is honoring the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless and homeless rights advocate Megan Smith at its Annual Meeting Celebration on Thursday, October 22, at the Providence Biltmore.

The ACLU of Rhode Island issued the following statement today in response to a meeting held last week by the Department of Corrections’ probation and parole division, at which dozens of sex offenders were told they must leave their current residence in order to comply with a recently-enacted state law: “In June, the General Assembly passed a law making it a crime for certain registered sex offenders to reside within 1,000 feet of a school. Last week, individuals purportedly subject to that law were given 30 days to move or else face a five-year prison sentence. “It is the ACLU’s firm belief that, in addition to being unwarranted, misguided and counter-productive, this new law raises grave constitutional concerns. Within the month, we plan to file a lawsuit challenging the statute and seeking a court order to halt its implementation.   “It is important to emphasize the wide range of organizations – including advocates for the homeless, advocates for victims of sexual assault, the American Correctional Association, and the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers – that agree these laws are ill-advised and likely to make the community less, not more, safe. “It is unfortunate that the legislature and Governor chose to ignore that testimony when it was presented to them. It is especially disheartening and intolerable that the state has given individuals only 30 days to uproot themselves from where they may have lived for years, even if it means making them homeless. “We are hopeful that, upon careful review by a court, this unwise law will be struck down.”

By Johanna Kaiser, Communications & Development Associate

Citing a recent “pattern of disturbingly inadequate” responses to open records requests “on truly critical matters of public import,” five open government organizations have called on Governor Gina Raimondo to issue an executive order that calls on state agencies to “adopt a strong presumption in favor of disclosure in addressing requests for public information.”

After receiving complaints that the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles was requiring licensed drivers from Puerto Rico to pass a written exam and road test in order to transfer their driver’s license to Rhode Island, the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island has urged Governor Gina Raimondo to immediately order the DMV to accept and transfer licenses from former Puerto Rican residents.

In light of the release of the depositions in the 38 Studios case, it is important to remember that "pleading the fifth" is a fundamental right that protects us all and supports a fair system of justice. As the U.S. Supreme Court eloquently explained over 50 years ago:

By Johanna Kaiser, Development & Communications Associate

After WJAR-TV reported that a family was told they could not send their children to Johnston Public Schools because they were living in a motel in town, the ACLU of Rhode Island contacted the Rhode Island Department of Education to urge Commissioner Ken Wagner to promptly intervene.