ACLU of Rhode Island

riaclu.org2026 ACLU of Rhode Island Annual Meeting - ACLU of Rhode IslandHelp us protect civil liberties — donate before 6pm on Wednesday, April 1!

🗽 "Then. Now. Our Work Continues.” Join us at our Annual Meeting on Thursday, November 12 in Pawtucket! Tickets are $25, and you can look forward to food, conversation, and community — with time to connect with other people who support our work. Get tickets: www.riaclu.org/event/2026-a...

22h

We’re honoring attorney Lise Iwon on Thurs., Nov. 12 for her decades of civil liberties work in RI! Volunteering with the ACLU of RI, she: 👚 Represented students challenging discriminatory school dress codes 🏠 Helped overturn a Housing Authority policy barring foster kids from residing with tenants

22h

🦷 Represented a person denied dental treatment because of his HIV status 🏳️‍⚧️ In 1988, successfully appealed a Probate Court decision denying a transgender person’s request to change her name Join us at The Guild in Pawtucket for our Annual Meeting, tickets are only $25!

riaclu.org2026 ACLU of Rhode Island Annual Meeting - ACLU of Rhode Island

22h

Get tickets: www.riaclu.org/event/2026-a...

riaclu.orgKNOW YOUR RIGHTS: Voting in RI - ACLU of Rhode IslandThe right to vote is fundamental to democracy. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about voting rights in Rhode Island. Upcoming Special Elections in Rhode Island Central Falls –…

Early voting is still open through November 2! Don’t miss your chance to vote your values, elected leaders make decisions that directly affect our communities. Have questions about voting early or on Election Day? Check out our Know Your Voting Rights info: riaclu.org/vote

riaclu.orgNEWSLETTER – 2026 – Fall - ACLU of Rhode IslandFRONT PAGE: Rhode Islanders Show Up for Privacy The Summer of Pushing Back Against Surveillance Technology

In case you missed it: Our last newsletter was packed with Rhode Island civil liberties updates. Read more about Flock Safety across the state, upcoming election info, updates about our lawsuits against the Trump administration, and our work at the super local level. www.riaclu.org/publications...

Rhode Island voters: Your whole ballot is important! Here’s what elected positions beyond Governor or U.S. Senator may be on your ballot, and what they actually do…

Local level: City or Town Councilor City and town councils are usually 5 or more people elected to make local laws (called ordinances), manage and approve of the services and budget of your city or town. Some cities/towns have districts or wards where you vote for one councilor... (continued)

...to represent your part of the municipality. In other places, the council is “at-large,” meaning you can vote for all councilors who represent all the residents. Term length: 2-4 years, depending on your community

Rhode Island voters: Your whole ballot is important! Here’s what elected positions beyond Governor or U.S. Senator may be on your ballot, and what they actually do…

Local level: Mayor The Mayor is like the governor of your city or town, but not every place has a mayor — you may have a town manager or administrator instead. In some places, like Newport, the mayor is not an elected position but is appointed from the council. (Continued...)

Mayor, continued... Depending on the municipality, mayors may have veto power over the council’s decisions, prepare an annual budget, and have power over committees and commissions. Term length: 2-4 years, depending on your community

Rhode Island voters: Your whole ballot is important! Here’s what elected positions beyond Governor or U.S. Senator may be on your ballot, and what they actually do…

State level: Rhode Island Secretary of State •Runs elections •Oversees access to public records •Provides civics and open government information •Regulates lobbying •Runs the business registry, provides business/non-profit support Term length: 4 years

State level: Rhode Island Treasurer The Treasurer’s mission is to promote economic growth and financial security for all Rhode Islanders, and works to protect the State’s assets with sound investments and to strengthen the State’s financial position. Term length: 4 years

Rhode Island voters: Your whole ballot is important! Here’s what elected positions beyond Governor or U.S. Senator may be on your ballot, and what they actually do…

State level: Rhode Island Attorney General (AG) The AG is the “state’s attorney” and is intended to provide state agencies with legal advice, advocate for the public interest including consumer protection, and prosecute criminal and civil cases on behalf of the state. Term length: 4 years

State level: Rhode Island General Assembly (Senator and Representative) State senators and representatives write and revise Rhode Island’s laws. There are 38 state senators and 75 state representatives in the RI Legislature. Term length for both positions: 2 years

steveahlquist.substack.com15 months after passage, the Rhode Island Freedom to Read Act has yet to be implemented by the McKee Administration“Authors, educators, librarians, students, and readers across Rhode Island worked together with legislators to get this law, and we deserve to have it implemented.”

Remember the Freedom to Read Act, which creates legal protections for public librarians so they can't be prosecuted for doing their jobs and prevents censorship in public libraries and schools? The Act was signed into law in July 2025 but hasn't been implemented by the RI Dept. of Education yet.

Steve Ahlquist@steveahlquist.bsky.social

15 months after passage, the Rhode Island Freedom to Read Act has yet to be implemented by the McKee Administration “Authors, educators, librarians, students, and readers across Rhode Island worked together with legislators to get this law, and we deserve to have it implemented.”

The ACLU and other groups sent the Department a formal petition this week demanding they implement the law, including creating model policies for school districts to address complaints and challenges to materials in ways that prevent censorship.

We just released a statement about the new proposed statewide automated license plate reader (ALPR) policy. Notably, the ALPR pause is still in effect. While we have not had time to thoroughly review its content, here are the top issues we already have with it:

3. The policy does not prevent use of the system to take photographs of drivers and their passengers, much less prohibit the use of facial recognition technology.

4. The policy claims that officers who misuse the system may be subject to criminal prosecution or civil liability, but without a law that actually makes misuse a crime or establishes a civil cause of action, this assurance is largely meaningless.

3. The policy does not prevent use of the system to take photographs of drivers and their passengers, much less prohibit the use of facial recognition technology.

riaclu.orgACLU of Rhode Island Statement in Response to the Proposed Statewide Automated License Plate Reader Policy - ACLU of Rhode Island"On the whole, however, the policy promises much less than meets the eye."

Read the full statement: www.riaclu.org/news/aclu-of...

1. The policy is so broad that ALPRs could be used for just about any reason, except the handful of reasons the policy explicitly prohibits.

2. The recommended policy allows all license plate data to be routinely maintained for up to 30 days — even Flock Safety’s own default data retention is 7 days.

A WIN for free speech! We successfully represented Cranston tenants and tenant organizers who were being sued by their landlord, Jeffrey Butler, for defamation based on the lyrics of background song in a TikTok video that was posted by the tenants union briefly in 2024.

The judge agreed with our arguments that the TikTok didn't defame Butler, and ended this case for all but one of the tenants on another claim. It seemed clear to us that this defamation claim against the tenant organizers had no merit, and we're pleased their free speech rights have been protected!

Governor McKee's 60-day pause on new automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras is expiring in a few days. We sent a letter last week alongside the Alliance to Mobilize Our Resistance, @ppsne.bsky.social, and the Office of the Public Defender with comments...

riaclu.orgLETTER Re: Proposed ALPR Policy Recommendations after Governor's 60-Day Pause - ACLU of Rhode IslandThis letter was sent to the members of the committee instructed by Governor McKee to consider policy recommendations for the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) in Rhode Island.

...about what should be included in the policy to prevent misuse, promote transparency, and protect privacy. Read the letter ⬇️ www.riaclu.org/publications...

Good news! The RI Attorney General listened to our comments about proposed revised body-worn camera regulations in RI and removed a section that would've allowed officers to make an in initial unrecorded statement to a supervisor, + to view their camera footage before submitting a formal statement.

ACLU of Rhode Island@riaclu.bsky.social

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.

📣 PROVIDENCE your City Council is introducing an ordinance that would BAN automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, like Flock Safety, this THURSDAY, October 15!

opengov.sos.ri.govRhode Island Department of State

If you live in Providence, find your Councilor's email address and urge them to SUPPORT this ordinance to ban ALPR technology: opengov.sos.ri.gov/GOVDirectory...

The deadline is TODAY if you want to order a mail-in ballot, Rhode Island! Early voting begins tomorrow. If you have questions about voting by mail or voting early, check out our voting rights information: www.riaclu.org/know-your-ri...

RI Department of State | Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore@risecstate.bsky.social

Time is running out to apply for a mail ballot! All eligible voters can vote by mail – but you must apply before the deadline on October 13. Apply in just minutes at vote.ri.gov.

ANOTHER PRIVACY WIN: The Cumberland Town Council voted 6-1 yesterday to not renew the Town’s contract with Flock Safety! Cumberland is the 6th town in RI to end their Flock contract recently. We applaud the Council, the mayor, + all the residents who spoke up against this surveillance technology!

FREE SPEECH: We were just in the federal appeals court in Boston to again defend artists’ free speech. In Sept. 2025, a RI judge ruled that the Nat'l Endowment for the Arts had to remove a requirement that grant applicants wouldn't "promote gender ideology.” The NEA appealed the decision.

riaclu.orgFirst Circuit Hears Arguments in Case Challenging Viewpoint-Based Penalties in Federal Funding for the Arts - ACLU of Rhode IslandTheater and arts groups asked the court to uphold a court ruling that blocked the government from restricting NEA funding based on perceived ideology

Read the latest update on the case: www.riaclu.org/news/first-c...

PRIVACY: We’re headed into the federal appeals court in Boston to protect the sensitive medical records of minors who have received gender-affirming health care at RI Hospital from being turned over to the Dept. of Justice. We will continue to show up to protect RI kids and their medical privacy!

riaclu.orgTimeline of DOJ's Subpoena of RI Hospital Minor Patients' Records - ACLU of Rhode IslandHelp us protect civil liberties — donate before 6pm on Wednesday, April 1!

We made a timeline of the case, which spans multiple federal district courts and many months of work, so you can see how we got here: www.riaclu.org/update-to-do...

vote.sos.ri.govWelcome to your Voter Information CenterIf you are not registered to vote, you can register on-line. You will need:

🗳️‼️ Rhode Island, the deadline to register to vote in the midterm election is SUNDAY, October 4! Take one minute to check your voter registration and text a friend to remind them too: vote.sos.ri.gov/Home/Registe...

⭐️ Here are all the voting deadlines that are coming up: •Register to vote: Sunday, October 4 •Request a General Election mail-in ballot: Tuesday, October 13 •General Election Early Voting: October 14 – November 2 •General Election: Tuesday, November 3

Refresh your memory on your rights if you interact with police, ICE, or are a bystander to immigration action. Knowing your rights can help you be more prepared + react more quickly. ➡️ If you see ICE in RI, call the Deportation Defense Line: 401-675-1414

riaclu.orgKNOW YOUR RIGHTS: What You Can Do as a Bystander During Immigration Enforcement Actions - ACLU of Rhode IslandIt’s easy to freeze when you see immigration agents (ICE) detaining someone, especially if the officers are acting quickly or aggressively. This FAQ is intended to give some suggested actions you can…

📱 If you witness immigration actions, be prepared: www.riaclu.org/know-your-ri...

riaclu.orgKNOW YOUR RIGHTS: What to Do if You're Stopped by Police, Immigration or the FBI - ACLU of Rhode IslandRegardless of your immigration or citizenship status, you have constitutional rights! Below are tips for interacting with police and understanding your rights. Scroll to the bottom of the page for…

🚔 If you interact with police and ICE, know your rights: www.riaclu.org/know-your-ri...

For those who ask, “why is knowing my rights important, if they’re being violated anyways?” You have to understand your rights first to recognize if they have been violated. If you understand the violation and it is documented, you can later challenge the violation in court.

browndailyherald.comEditorial: The Dec. 13 mass shooting does not justify the use of Flock camerasEditorial: The Dec. 13 mass shooting does not justify the use of Flock cameras

"We regret that our tragedy is a use case for Flock.” This editorial article by Brown University students clearly articulates the danger mass surveillance poses to civil liberties. We commend the students for speaking up for privacy and urging local leaders to end Providence’s contract with Flock.

ACLU of Rhode Island reposted

Rhode Island Current

@rhodeislandcurrent.com

U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose on Tuesday struck down the Trump administration’s attempts to restrict federal grants for organizations serving victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/09/29/r...

rhodeislandcurrent.comRI federal judge strikes down Trump grant restrictions for domestic violence groups • Rhode Island CurrentU.S. District Court Judge Melissa DuBose on Tuesday struck down Trump administration grant restrictions in a 2025 lawsuit brought by the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence against the De...

VICTORY! A RI judge has blocked the Trump admin’s unlawful conditions on federal funding that supports victims of sexual/domestic violence in our case representing RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence and 24 other domestic violence orgs. Filed w/ @democracyforward.org + Lawyers' Committee for RI.

RI Department of State | Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore

The case challenged Department of Justice’s efforts to target grantees that, among other things: – implement diversity, equity, and inclusion programs – serve immigrants – recognize and respect people regardless of gender identity – and acknowledge systemic causes of domestic and sexual abuse

ACLU of Rhode Island reposted

@risecstate.bsky.social

October 4 is the deadline to register to vote or update your voter information! Verify that your info is correct so you can vote alongside your community in the General Election on November 3 at vote.ri.gov.

ACLU of Rhode Island reposted

Liz Gotauco

@cosbrarian.bsky.social

Myself, cartoonist Damian Alexander, and author Nicole Gonzalez Van Cleve are appearing with @riaclu.bsky.social on Tues 10/6 at 6 PM (next week!) to read from our books and discuss them in context of book banning at the Narragansett RI public library! Register at riaclu.org/events!

🗽 SAVE THE DATE (& get tickets!) Mark your calendars for our Annual Meeting, starting at 6pm on Thursday, November 12 at The Guild in Pawtucket. Join us to honor the work of Lise Iwon — a true civil libertarian, advocate, and former cooperating attorney.