Civil Liberties

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

ORGANIZATIONS CALL FOR HALT TO ACI LOCKDOWNS TO ALLOW CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS TO ENJOY “OFFICERS WEEK” CELEBRATION

  The ACLU of RI and the RI Center for Justice have sent a letter to RIDOC Director Patricia Coyne-Fague over plans for a multi-day lockdown of ACI prisoners so that correctional officers can partake in “National Correctional Officers’ Week” events, including a cookout with golf and volleyball elsewhere in Cranston and[Read More…]

by September 11, 2021

ACLU Calls On Cranston, Pawtucket, & Woonsocket to Halt ALPR Camera Program

  The ACLU of Rhode Island today called on the city councils in Cranston, Pawtucket, and Woonsocket to direct their respective police departments to halt the use of automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology leased from the company Flock Safety. In a letter sent to the city council and mayor[Read More…]

by September 7, 2021

URI Assistant Director Of Communications Dave Lavallee Explains The Methodology Underlying The Religious Exemption For The Covid Vaccine

In the immediate aftermath of the Governor McKee COVID Press Conference, University of Rhode Island Assistant Director Of Communications Dave Lavallee explained the methodology underlying the religious exemption for the Covid vaccine. See the mentioned forms below.  

by September 3, 2021

Medical Personnel Opposed To Vaccine Mandate Stage Peaceful Boisterous Protest At State House!

  Gubernatorial Hopeful Paul Rianna Jr. Delivers Petition To McKee Staffer Protestors Refused Access To Rhode Island Department of Health Staff And Building For the third time in as many weeks, licensed medical personnel of virtually any stripe descended on The Rhode Island State House today. Armed with a boisterous[Read More…]

by August 31, 2021

Rhode Island Reacts To Supreme Court Edict Ending The Eviction Moratorium

  Rhode Island Leaders reacted vigorously to the impending eviction threat in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling. See: Supreme Court Overturns CDC/Biden Eviction Ban  Interestingly, Rhode Island Housing, the State of Rhode Island Agency tasked with distributing Federal Rent Relief, has so far refused comment, or more importantly,[Read More…]

by August 28, 2021

Supreme Court Overturns Biden Eviction Ban! (Opinions/Order Attached)

  The Supreme Court has ruled, in the Case of Alabama Association of Realtors, Et A. v. Department of Health and Human Services, Et Al., that the Centers For Disease Control lacked the necessary authority to invoke a moratorium against evictions. From The Order: “The District Court produced a comprehensive[Read More…]

by August 27, 2021