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.

ICE continues to terrorize our communities and spread fear. If you see ICE, call the AMOR deportation defense line: 401-675-1414. We will continue to fight to protect immigrants’ rights, and due process rights for all, in the courts and in the upcoming Legislative Session.

On this Transgender Day of Remembrance, we honor the trans people lost to violence in the U.S. this year. Widespread poverty, homelessness, and discrimination makes trans people 4x more likely to experience violence than the average person. We shouldn’t have to live in fear to be who we are.

TONIGHT: We’re urging the Providence City Council to REJECT a discriminatory ordinance that would increase housing costs for students and invade their privacy. We sent the Council a letter outlining our concerns, you can read it here ⬇️

The Bristol Town Council voted yesterday to DELAY approving the RI State Police's request to install "at least one" Flock camera in the town until Dec. 10. Flock systems are capable of extremely invasive surveillance. Bristol residents: Contact your Town Council + urge them to REJECT Flock Cameras!

“If you want to keep your civil liberties, you need to be prepared to fight for them!” – our Board President Thank you to everyone who joined us last Thursday for our Annual Meeting to connect as a community! Special thanks to sponsor DeLuca, Weizenbaum, Barry & Revens, Ltd.

PASSED ✅ The PVD City Council just voted to protect immigrants’ rights! The ordinance will greatly limit the use of city resources to assist federal immigration agencies. The last step is for Mayor Smiley to sign the ordinance. We applaud the Council for protecting the immigrant community.

LAWSUIT SUCCESS: Young kids eligible for special ed programs in Providence are now receiving the education they're entitled to! As a result, a 2023 class-action suit we filed against the PVD School District and RIDE for not providing 3-5 yr old children necessary special ed services is now closed.

As polls open across the nation, know your rights this Election Day.

ACLU Sues Gov. Dan McKee Over Blocking Protesters at the RI State House. What to Know. | The Providence Journal www.providencejournal.com/story/news/p...

@riaclu.bsky.social sues Gov. McKee for blocking protesters from State House rotunda during speech. “The rotunda has served as the epicenter for Rhode Islanders to peacefully express their views to state leaders and the public,” ACLU director Steven Brown said. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/28/m...

FILED: Last January, activists were denied access to the State House rotunda to hold a rally before the Governor's State of the State address. Now, we’re suing the McKee admin. for violating their rights. The rotunda's status as a quintessential public space for political speech must be preserved!

We just filed a “friend of the court” brief, challenging the RI Attorney General's position that state officials are immune from ever being sued in federal court under one of RI’s key anti-discrimination civil rights statutes.

Good news! The settlement agreement in the class-action data breach lawsuit we filed against the R.I. Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) and UnitedHealthcare New England was approved by the judge this morning. This was a major data breach that affected over 18,000 state employees in 2021.

Audio is an important part of police body camera footage, and we’ve been raising concerns for years about police in RI inappropriately muting themselves — and the wording of the state policy often allows it. We'll keep advocating to close this loophole!

Did you feel a sense of community at yesterday’s protests? Join us at our Annual Meeting on Thursday, Nov. 6 to learn more about the ACLU’s work, meet other civil libertarians, and continue the momentum to protect our fundamental rights. Tickets are $25, available below ⬇️

TODAY: Join one of the ten protests throughout the state and exercise your right to dissent!

The PVD City Council has voted to PASS amendments to the Community-Police Relations Act, limiting how the city’s resources can be used to assist federal immigration agencies! The Council will need to approve the ordinance a second time, but this is a major win for protecting immigrants’ rights!

GOOD NEWS: Brown University’s president has formally rejected the Trump Administration’s “compact” agreement that would have undermined academic freedom. This is an important step to stop the cycle of demands from the administration, that threatens the autonomy of higher education institutions.

Reminder to Providence residents: Contact your City Councilor and urge them to SUPPORT the ordinance amending the city’s Community-Police Relations Act by Thursday, Oct. 16! More info here: www.riaclu.org/providence-r...

This Saturday, stand up for our democracy! Join one of the 10 protests throughout RI. Downtown PVD will be held at the State House (mall side) 1pm-3pm. And, make sure you review your protest rights before you go ⬇️ www.riaclu.org/know-your-ri...

We're gathering on Thursday, November 6 in Pawtucket, to celebrate courageous Rhode Islanders, and to reflect on the wins and the challenges ahead of us. Join us! www.ticketleap.events/tickets/riac... Tickets are $25; a variety of appetizers, a drink ticket, and free parking included.

For the people, by the people: On Saturday, October 18, peaceful protests will take place across the state, and the country. Join us to stand up for democracy! Find a protest near you at the link below. When using that link, Indivisible will know you came from us; their privacy policy applies.

VICTORY: We blocked in court unlawful restrictions on fed. funding used to provide critical services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, LGBTQI+ youth, and unhoused communities! This is a major win, as the Trump admin. continues to weaponize funding to punish inclusive service providers.

🚨Providence residents! On Thursday, Oct. 16, the PVD City Council will be voting on an ordinance that would place clear limits on PVD Police assistance with immigration enforcement action, unless required by a judicial warrant. Take 5 min. to email your council member; template & more info below ⬇️

We filed a "friend of the court" brief supporting a challenge to a federal law that makes it a crime for people to own a firearm just because they legally use marijuana. We believe this law is clearly unfair, and note that criminalization of marijuana has long been rooted in racial discrimination.

A few pics from last night's Banned Books Week discussion of “1984” presented by @riaclu.bsky.social and the Rhode Island Library Association at the Cranston Public Library. I read some excerpts from the book during the program. It felt good to summon the spirit of Orwell to the U.S. in 2025.

TONIGHT: The PVD City Council is considering a draft ordinance that would strengthen the Providence Community-Police Relations Act. This would expand the existing ordinance to better protect our immigrant community members + neighbors, reaffirming the city’s commitment to safeguarding civil rights.

Brown University capitulated to Trump admin. once, and now the gov't is back with more demands. We sent a letter urging Brown University's President to reject the administration's new "compact" agreement that would undermine academic freedom and the autonomy of higher ed institutions.

New class action lawsuit filed by @aclum.bsky.social that could affect Rhode Islanders ⬇️ EVERYONE in the United States has a right to due process, period.

As immigration agents have an increased presence in our community, we’ve gotten the question “what can I do?” many times. We created a new FAQ with guidance on what you can do as a bystander if you see someone being detained by ICE — including rapid response hotlines to call for RI, MA, and CT.

A federal judge has ruled in favor of our plaintiffs — including @rilatinoarts.bsky.social — in their challenge to the National Endowment for the Arts’ policy disfavoring any grant applications for projects that the government believes “promote gender ideology.” Read the full story ⬇️

BREAKING: A court ruled that the federal government can't pick and choose among viewpoints when deciding who gets a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. We took the Trump administration to court to fight artistic censorship — and won.

BREAKING: A judge has ruled that the National Endowment for the Arts' grant requirement that applicants do not promote so called “gender ideology” is unconstitutional. More information to come.