News & Commentary

The RI ACLU has filed a discrimination complaint against Senesco Marine, a large ship construction and repair facility in North Kingstown, claiming that the company is engaged in a “blatant violation of state and federal laws protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.” The complaint was filed yesterday with the R.I. Commission for Human Rights by RI ACLU volunteer attorney Michael Feldhuhn.

The Rhode Island ACLU has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of East Providence on behalf of former state Senator Michael Damiani, whom the City Council last year conditioned his appointment as an Assistant Harbormaster on his passing a “vigorous” physical exam. The lawsuit, filed by ACLU volunteer attorney Carolyn A. Mannis, argues that the requirement violated Damiani’s rights under various employment anti-discrimination laws.

Responding to the deaths of two people with mental disabilities last month when confronted by police, eight advocacy organizations today cited a “critical and urgent need for uniform and comprehensive training of all police in Rhode Island to ensure a proper response to persons with mental illness, cognitive impairments or developmental disabilities.” The organizations, many of whom deal with or represent on a daily basis individuals with mental illness, made the comments in a letter sent to all police chiefs in the state.