Civil Liberties

Attorney General Candidate Chas Calenda Weighs In On RISP Police Behavior In Anti Mandate Cumberland Protest

    After viewing the raw, unedited video of last night’s protests on the street outside the Governor’s home, I will say that as a candidate for Attorney General, I am concerned with the overwhelming show of force used by the State Police for what appeared to be Constitutionally protected[Read More…]

by October 9, 2021

The Statement: Rhode Island State Police Arrest Two Outside Governor’s Residence

On Friday October 8, 2021 at approximately 7:50pm the Rhode Island State Police responded to a disturbance outside Governor McKee’s residence. During the disturbance two people were arrested. Tyler Bonin, age 32, of East Providence was charged with 1.)Disorderly conduct, 2.) Obstruction, 3.) Resisting arrest. Joshua Joseph, age 38, of Woonsocket was[Read More…]

by October 9, 2021

Committee To Protect Journalists (CPJ) Congratulates Maria Ressa & Dmitry Muratov For Winning The 2021 Nobel Peace Prize

  The Committee to Protect Journalists congratulates journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov, who were awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize today. Their award comes at a time of unprecedented attacks on journalists in the form of sweeping crackdowns, digital surveillance, and an erosion of public trust in journalism. “Dmitry[Read More…]

by October 8, 2021

Denied Access To The Redistricting Commission Hearing Due To COVID Mandates, Representative Place Issues Statement

Rhode Island State Representative David J. Place offers the following statement regarding his denial to participate in tonight’s General Assembly Reapportionment Commission Hearings (redistricting): “My concerns regarding vaccine passport mandates are well documented in my public comments, in anti-vax passport legislation I submitted, and in bipartisan anti-vax passport legislation I[Read More…]

by September 30, 2021

People’s Tribunal To Indict Governments, Seeking Justice For Murdered Journalist

In an unprecedented effort to achieve justice in the killing of journalists, three leading press freedom groups have established a People’s Tribunal to investigate their murders and hold governments accountable. The Tribunal, a form of grassroots justice, relies on investigations and high-quality legal analysis involving specific cases in three countries.[Read More…]

by September 29, 2021

The Committee To Protect Journalists (CPJ) Joins Call For European Commission To Strengthen Rule of Law Report

The Committee to Protect Journalists today joined 61 organizations in a joint statement urging the European Commission to strengthen its annual Rule of Law report. The Rule of Law report, published in July, which provides a basis for the annual rule of law dialogue among European Union officials and member states, includes summaries[Read More…]

by September 22, 2021

ACLU Files Court Brief Against Effort To Overturn RI’s Reproductive Freedom Law

  The ACLU of Rhode Island today filed a court brief seeking to beat back an effort to overturn a state law that protects an individual’s right to an abortion.  The filing comes amidst an organized campaign across the country by opponents of reproductive freedom to restrict access to the[Read More…]

by September 20, 2021

Kobi Dennis’ Haircuts & Heritage: “It’s More Than A Cut” Dedication & Ribbon Cutting

  While knowing barber shops have served as special places among African Americans since the 19th Century, a dedicated team of community leaders have created a safe space for inner city youth to get a free haircut and life lesson from someone who looks like them. As the Haircuts &[Read More…]

by September 18, 2021

The Committee To Protect Journalists (CPJ) Welcomes European Commission Recommendation On Journalist Safety

  The Committee to Protect Journalists today welcomed new journalist safety guidelines published by the European Commission, and called on EU member states to implement them as soon as possible. The nonbinding recommendation lists dozens of steps that states can take to ensure that journalists can work safely, including to prosecute all[Read More…]

by September 17, 2021

Manton Ave & Sayles Street Families March Against Police Brutality, Demand Release Of The Third Youth & An End To Police Attacks on their Families

Last night, Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE), organized, alongside other community groups and organizers, a speak out and march, led by the Sayles Street and Manton Ave families whose children were brutally assaulted by police this summer. The Action commenced at the intersection of Manton & Salmon Streets[Read More…]

by September 17, 2021