ACLU of Rhode Island
@riaclu.bsky.social
Defending fundamental rights and freedoms in the Ocean State since 1959. riaclu.org
FREE SPEECH: We’re in the middle of a lawsuit defending a Warwick resident who was censored during a city council meeting in 2023. Now, Warwick is trying to prevent him from sharing any of the documents from the case’s discovery process — doubling down on stifling his free speech once again.
Since late 2025, we’ve been keeping tabs on the RI State Police’s work to distribute Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras across the state. The RISP are installing 39 cameras in 22 municipalities after getting approval from the cities and towns over the past 9 months.
REMINDER: Time is running out to make sure you’re registered to vote in the RI primary election! Deadline is Monday, August 10. Save this thread for a list of ALL the Rhode Island voting deadlines coming up…
✅Another Flock Safety contract has been canceled in RI! The Narragansett Town Council unanimously voted to end the Town’s contract tonight, after hearing concerns from residents and our affiliate. Thank you to the Narragansett residents who made their voices heard!
Every year, we ask the same question: How will this year’s U.S. Supreme Court decisions affect Rhode Islanders? We explain six cases in our latest article, including the legal issue, how the Court ruled, and whether the decision will have any affect here in the Ocean State.
How will this year’s Supreme Court decisions affect Rhode Islanders? - ACLU of Rhode Island
Almost by definition, a ruling by the highest court in the United States on a civil liberties issue is likely to have a significant impact on the rights of Rhode Islanders. That was certainly true of ...
riaclu.org
The South Kingstown Council’s decision to cancel their Flock Safety contract is a signal to people across Rhode Island: Making your voice heard has an impact! You can follow SK’s lead and cancel Flock Safety contracts.
ACLU of Rhode Island@riaclu.bsky.social · last wk.PRIVACY WIN: One hour ago, South Kingstown Town Council voted unanimously to cancel their contract with Flock Safety!
From coast to coast, people are demanding their local leaders cut ties with Flock — and are winning.
ACLU of Rhode Island@riaclu.bsky.social · last wk.PRIVACY WIN: One hour ago, South Kingstown Town Council voted unanimously to cancel their contract with Flock Safety!
PRIVACY WIN: One hour ago, South Kingstown Town Council voted unanimously to cancel their contract with Flock Safety!
In case you missed it: You can check if your city/town council and school committee provide access to their meetings online! People who work evenings, parents who can't find childcare, or elderly folks who can't drive at night all should be able to participate in their local government processes.
REPORT Remote Access to Public Meetings (2026 Update) - ACLU of Rhode Island
A review of Rhode Island City and Town Councils and School Committees virtual accessibility practices. Our government is more transparent and our democracy is stronger at every level when we ensure…
riaclu.org
We are proud to stand with the organizations from across the public, cultural and political spectrum in this "friend of the court" brief. Read more: www.riaclu.org/news/legal-o...
Legal Organizations Across Ideologies Urge Appeals Court to Uphold Block on President Trump’s Unconstitutional Attacks on Harvard - ACLU of Rhode Island
Last year, a federal court blocked the Trump administration’s efforts at a hostile ideological takeover of Harvard University
riaclu.org
ACLU@aclu.org · 2w agoNEW: We filed a brief urging a federal appeals court to uphold a ruling that blocked the Trump administration's attempted hostile ideological takeover of Harvard.
The State House is the peoples’ house! Our lawsuit to ensure people can peacefully protest immediately prior to, and during, the Governor’s annual “State of the State” address has been settled, reaffirming Rhode Islanders' right to peacefully protest in our capitol building.
How accessible are your local governmental bodies for people who can’t be at meetings in person? We released an update to our 2023 report, where we look at city and town councils' and school committees’ policies. Spoiler: There hasn’t been much progress.
Is your city or town providing full remote access to public meetings? A new @riaclu.bsky.social report finds “insufficient progress” in providing remote access to the public meetings of RI’s city and town councils and school committees www.bostonglobe.com/2026/07/21/m...
Is your city or town providing full remote access to public meetings? - The Boston Globe
A new ACLU report finds ‘insufficient progress’ in providing remote access to the public meetings of R.I.’s city and town councils and school committees
bostonglobe.com
Get a run-down of what's happening for civil liberties in RI — check out our summer newsletter! It includes news updates, info about what bills became law this year, and a link to our newly-released voting record. www.riaclu.org/publications...
NEWSLETTER – 2026 – Summer - ACLU of Rhode Island
FRONT PAGE: Critical Immigrant Rights Bills Passed
riaclu.org
We’ve got space left in our upcoming debrief about the RI legislative session! Desserts, a summary of what rights have been protected and undermined this year, and some real talk about what work we have ahead of us. Registration required but event is free! Go to www.riaclu.org/event/ri-leg...
RI Legislative Session Wrap-Up - ACLU of Rhode Island
Join us for a recap of the 2026 Rhode Island Legislative Session!
riaclu.org
We’ve got space left in our upcoming debrief about the RI legislative session! Desserts, a summary of what rights have been protected and undermined this year, and some real talk about what work we have ahead of us. Registration required but event is free! Go to www.riaclu.org/event/ri-leg...
RI Legislative Session Wrap-Up - ACLU of Rhode Island
Join us for a recap of the 2026 Rhode Island Legislative Session!
riaclu.org
POLICE TRANSPARENCY: We submitted testimony to the RI Dept. of Public Safety as they’re considering changing when police officers can see their own body-worn camera footage after a “use of force” incident.
VICTORY: State Supreme Court rejects state's attempt to avoid liability under key civil rights law! Read more here: www.riaclu.org/news/state-s...
State Supreme Court Rejects State's Attempt to Avoid Liability Under Key Civil Rights Law - ACLU of Rhode Island
The RI Supreme Court ruled that the state and its officials are not immune from suit under the Rhode Island Civil Rights Act.
riaclu.org
Our country has never lived up to truly being the land of the free. We've only made progress because of courageous ordinary people bending the moral arch of the universe toward justice for 250 years. Now, more than ever, we must ensure everyone gets the freedom we all have the right to enjoy.
Three municipal updates about Flock safety cameras in RI: 1) In mid-June, the Little Compton town council tabled a proposal to buy two cameras, and the police chief indicated he would stop requesting them.
Take one minute to register for our upcoming debrief on the RI Legislative Session on Wednesday, July 15 in Cumberland! We’ll explain what laws were passed or amended, and what work we have ahead of us to protect civil liberties in RI. Registration is required: www.riaclu.org/event/ri-leg...
RI Legislative Session Wrap-Up - ACLU of Rhode Island
Join us for a recap of the 2026 Rhode Island Legislative Session!
riaclu.org
BREAKING: The Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s executive order attempting to overturn birthright citizenship. This historic decision reaffirms that the Constitution — not the president — defines who gets to be a citizen.
VICTORY: Yesterday, a RI judge ruled to protect federal grant funding for housing! The decision rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to impose new ideological conditions on the grant money that would have pushed an estimated 170,000 people into homelessness.
Good news for government transparency! The RI Judicial Nominating Commission will only require people to sign up for public comment one day in advance, instead of two weeks. The Commission is the public body tasked with interviewing candidates for judges. We sent them a letter several months ago...
TODAY AT 7 PM ET: Join Common Cause RI and @riaclu.bsky.social for a webinar exploring the intersection of AI and democracy. Register here: act.commoncause.org/events/is-ai...
This year is the 50th Rhode Island Pride — and we’re still celebrating with and advocating alongside the LGTBQ+ community. Back in 1976, the ACLU of RI went to court on behalf of the very first RI Pride organizers after Providence city officials denied their request for a parade permit...
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court protected privacy rights by ruling that the government can’t charge someone with a felony for owning a firearm stored securely at home merely because the person uses marijuana.
On this day in history 160 years ago, Congress passed the 14th Amendment to enshrine the right to birthright citizenship in our Constitution. We went to the Supreme Court earlier this year to preserve this essential right for generations to come.
Reminder: you have rights when interacting with ICE or witnessing ICE actions in your community! Read and share our Know Your Rights materials linked in this thread, and call the deportation defense hotline at 401-675-1414 if you see ICE in Rhode Island.
The RI Legislative Session officially recessed at 11:59pm last night! Huge shout out to our two lobbyists, and our volunteers, who testified on over 360 bills this session. That’s hours of work each week on dozens of issues that could affect the civil liberties of every Rhode Islander.
