“Each additional attempt by the federal government to restrict funding for these life-saving services — now weaponizing citizenship status to exclude survivors from receiving support — is as cruel and unlawful as the last." Read the latest ⬇️

The RI Legislative Session is on break this week, which is a great time to get caught up on our priority bills — and to contact your state legislators about them! Check out our legislative dashboard ⬇️ https://www.riaclu.org/legislative-session-dashboard/

Last Monday, we hosted a webinar to explain how hundreds of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) have spread across Rhode Island — and what you can do about it. Watch the recording on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjNbUntZV00

Only 15 spots left for our Legislative Advocacy Training in East Providence next Sat., Feb. 21! Learn about the RI legislative process and how to be an effective advocate. Registration is required: https://www.riaclu.org/events/ (We also have trainings on March 7 in Cranston + March 21 in Newport!)

Now, more than ever, these bills are crucial for immigrants’ rights in Rhode Island. We will continue to advocate for their passage, and we urge you to contact your state legislators in support of these bills.

This week in the RI Legislative Session: We submitted testimony on a series of bills in the House about police accountability, felony offenses, and privacy. 🧵 1/4

For a third time, we're suing the RI Dept. of Corrections for refusing to accommodate religious practices that incarcerated Native American people are routinely allowed to practice in prisons across the country. Freedom of religion is a fundamental right, even if you're incarcerated.

What? A webinar! When? Monday, Feb. 9 at 6pm! About? License plate reader cameras in RI! …If you want to be up-to-date on this widespread surveillance technology in Rhode Island.  Register to get the Zoom link: https://www.riaclu.org/event/webinar-more-than-just-license-plates-surveillance-in-ri/

We’re calling on Brown University, and other colleges, to reject the PVD Police’s request to share campus camera feeds with the city’s Real Time Crime Center. We have serious privacy concerns about this surveillance system given there are no state laws regulating the collection/use of data.

NEW BRIEF: We think the U.S. Dept. of Justice’s argument that they should have access to RI’s entire non-public voter file is “...an affront to the rule of law, the role of the judiciary, and the intelligence and rights of the American public.” Filed with @aclu.org + @commoncauseri.bsky.social

The Judicial Nominating Commission, a public body, meets to screen potential court justice appointments — decisions which can affect Rhode Islanders for decades to come. Currently, people have to sign up two full weeks (!) in advance to speak during the public comment period of their meetings.

Gov’t transparency perspective on H7403, which we OPPOSE: Public officials’ accountability to the people that they serve is enhanced when they meet in-person. rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/29/s...

Rhode Islanders, this is a reminder to understand your right to protest! https://www.riaclu.org/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-protests-demonstrations/

If you’re a student, or know a student, who is planning to walk out, send them this information about their protest rights!

“Outrageous, absurd, and dangerous” is how our executive director described the Pawtucket city solicitor’s refusal to share records about the Pawtucket Police Dept’s seemingly false arrest of a Central Falls man just because he was not charged with a crime. Transparency in policing is imperative.

Privacy in Bristol: Yesterday, the Town Council voted 3-2 to approve the RI State Police's request to install one Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) in the town. We will continue to push for laws that safeguard our privacy rights as this surveillance technology continues to spread.

Pawtucket refused to release the police report on the wrongful arrest, saying the record isn't public because there were no charges. The @riaclu.bsky.social says that argument is “outrageous, absurd, and dangerous.”

Win for privacy! Yesterday, the Portsmouth Town Council voted 7-0 to REJECT the RI State Police’s request to install a Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) in the town. Portsmouth is the second town to recently refuse to install this invasive technology w/out legal safeguards in place.

We support H7236! This bill creates a pilot program to prepare Equity Impact Statements on designated legislation. The statements will analyze the potential discriminatory impact of bills on vulnerable populations so legislators can make more informed decisions. @epi-ri.bsky.social

We the people have the power. Join us tomorrow, January 26, for a virtual training on how to exercise your right to document ICE abuses in your community. RSVP using the link below. When using that link, Indivisible will know you came from us; their privacy policy applies.

PSA: State courts and municipal courts must provide an interpreter to all people with limited English proficiency. If you know someone who may need a court interpreter, send them our Know Your Rights material ⬇️ (Español, Português, Kabuverdianu, Kreyòl Ayisyen)

We applaud Mayor Smiley for making it clear that federal immigration agents cannot use city property unless they are executing a lawful judicial warrant. Every action that supports our immigrant neighbors is important. rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/20/s...

You can take action and make change at the RI State House! We’ll teach you how. Save the date for our free Legislative Advocacy Trainings on February 21 and March 7. Please note: registration is required! More details at www.riaclu.org/events.

Have you seen the “automated license plate reader” cameras (aka ALPRs) being installed across RI? Spoiler: They can do more than just read license plates, and they're basically unregulated. Register for our webinar on Monday, Feb. 9, at 6pm to learn more about privacy + this technology ⬇️

Did you opt into the class-action lawsuit after the RIPTA data breach? Attorneys for the lawsuit have informed us that settlement payments are starting to be distributed to approved members of the class. https://www.riaclu.org/update-for-members-of-the-class-in-morelli-v-ripta/

Yesterday, ICE agents allegedly ran into the Garrahy courthouse with firearms and circumvented security. This is yet another example of how ICE continues to terrorize Rhode Islanders who are simply, legally, going to court. www.providencejournal.com/story/news/c...

Remember when we intervened after the U.S. Dept. of Justice demanded Rhode Island's entire non-public voter file? We just filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, which could close the case if granted. Either way, we’re prepared to fight it in court to protect Rhode Islanders' sensitive voter info!

If you're taking to the streets to protest, know your rights.

Rhode Islanders, this is a reminder to understand your right to protest! https://www.riaclu.org/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-protests-demonstrations/

Yesterday, the Barrington School Committee debated adding a School Resource Officer (SRO) to the middle school. Despite opposition from students & community members, the committee suggested they would approve putting an SRO in the middle + elementary schools at their next meeting on Thurs., Feb. 5.

ICE's killing of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis mother, is horrific and never should've happened. Tell Congress to stop these reckless raids and oppose any increases to ICE's budget.

Lawsuits Against Public Participation” (SLAPP) suits are intended to chill free speech, undermining First Amendment rights. That's why we’re defending tenants and tenant organizers against a SLAPP suit by landlord Jeffrey Butler. Read more ⬇️

Win for free speech! The public will be guaranteed access to the State House rotunda for a rally the day of the Governor’s upcoming “State of the State” address. Groups were denied access last year. Our lawsuit will continue to ensure the State House is ALWAYS accessible as a place of free speech.

This is your last chance in 2025 to make a tax-deductible donation to help protect civil liberties right here in RI. Your donation of any amount enables us to monitor our state, and act when your rights are under threat. Make a donation now: https://riaclu.networkforgood.com/

This is a big thread of some of our work this year. Buckle up for just 12 of the actions we took in this turbulent year for civil liberties… 🧵

Do you know what protections there are in RI against the Trump administration’s attacks on our rights this past year? We’ve been updating our website with information about new lawsuits and legislation (both good and bad) as we’ve defended our democracy at the local and state level in 2025.

Our winter newsletter is out! This issue includes our year in review, many local updates, and our 2025 case docket with more than 40 cases that are new, active, or closed this year. Read it here: https://www.riaclu.org/publications/newsletter-2025-winter/

BREAKING: A RI federal judge ruled from the bench to grant a preliminary injunction that protects critical housing funding, for RI organizations like Crossroads Rhode Island and Youth Pride, and nonprofits and local governments across the country. This is an initial victory, as the case continues.

“We’re not talking about gaining access to confidential investigatory efforts. These are basic records.” We’ve been advocating for years to modernize and improve RI's public records laws, despite pushback from law enforcement agencies. Rhode Islanders deserve reasonable access to public records.

The Bill of Rights was ratified on this day in 1791. For the last 105 years, we've defended those rights, alongside the entire Constitution, and we aren't stopping any time soon.

A little more info about why we’re intervening with @commoncauseri.bsky.social in the DOJ’s attempt to get Rhode Islanders’ voter data.

Big privacy win! Yesterday, after hearing from concerned residents, the Warren Town Council REJECTED the RI State Police’s request to install a Flock automated license plate reader in the town. We hope other councils considering these invasive cameras, like Bristol + Portsmouth, will follow suit.

BREAKING: We’re representing Common Cause to intervene in the federal government’s attempt to obtain RI voters’ personal info. This is a matter of protecting our data from potential misuse — like disenfranchising voters or making data more vulnerable to hackers. www.riaclu.org/news/common-...

Nine RI senators plan to introduce two bills in the upcoming Legislative Session to criminalize protesters who "loiter" on roadways or delay traffic. There are *already* criminal penalties for obstructing roads in RI law. We'll strongly oppose bills like this that erode our First Amendment rights!

This Giving Tuesday, we encourage you to check if your employer will match charitable donations — it’s an easy way to potentially double your generous gifts (to the ACLU of RI and beyond!)

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE: We just filed a “friend of the court” brief alongside The Laywering Project in a case that's trying to stop the dismantling of the federal government’s Division of Reproductive Health, which works to support maternal and infant health and combats pregnancy deaths.

The Trump admin's new unlawful restrictions on federal housing funding could lead to over 170k families being pushed into homelessness, right as winter months arrive. We're suing the US Dept. of Housing & Urban Dev. to ensure orgs like Crossroads RI and Youth Pride can continue to provide housing.

Whether your friends + family are tuned out from civil liberties issues, share misinformation, or are feeling apathetic, check out the National ACLU’s holiday conversation guide for how to approach important conversations this holiday season: https://www.aclu.org/the-aclus-holiday-conversation-guide

If you want to steer clear of divisive discussions as you're going to spend time with your family, friends, and loved ones this holiday season, we've got the perfect conversation topic for your social gatherings: Flock cameras, privacy, and surveillance in Rhode Island! (1/2)

Do you have a smart meter installed by RI Energy? They’re intended to be more efficient, but you probably don't realize they simultaneously collect a lot of personal data about you + your habits based on your energy usage. We're calling for transparent, enforceable privacy + data usage protections.