News & Commentary

Feb 05, 2026

ACLU of RI Urges Brown University to Reject Camera Sharing with Providence’s Real Time Crime Center

The ACLU of RI sent letters to colleges and universities with campuses in Providence that have been approached by the police department to share camera feed access after the shooting at Brown in December.

Blue and gold graphic with images of camera and drone surveillance technology.
Feb 03, 2026

ACLU Brief in Major Voting Rights Case Calls Department of Justice Arguments “an Affront to the Rule of Law”

ACLU blasted the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) position that it is entitled to Rhode Island’s entire non-public voter file

Light purple and dark blue graphic with a photo of people in voting booths with USA flags on the outside, and a photo of a RI voter registration form.
Jan 08, 2026

ACLU of Rhode Island Challenges Landlord’s SLAPP Suit Against Tenant Organizers

ACLU of RI files counterclaim alleging that landlord's lawsuit is a classic SLAPP suit aimed at chilling tenants’ freedom of speech.

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Jan 06, 2026

State Agrees to Allow Access to State House Rotunda by Protesters Before the 2026 “State of the State” Address

State officials have agreed to keep most of the first floor and rotunda at the State House open for use by the public immediately prior to, and during, Governor McKee’s upcoming annual “State of the State” address in January.

Pink and red graphic with image of State House rotunda stairs.
Dec 19, 2025

Court Blocks New Restrictions That Threaten Proven Solutions to Homelessness

Preliminary Injunction Pauses Unlawful Funding Condition for Housing Effort and Restores Lawful Conditions

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Dec 09, 2025

Common Cause, ACLU Take on Trump Administration in Court to Protect Rhode Island Voters’ Data

Common Cause and some individual voters have today intervened in a recently filed lawsuit in order to prevent the U.S. Department of Justice from obtaining sensitive, non-public information contained in the Rhode Island state voter file.

Light purple and dark blue graphic with a photo of people in voting booths with USA flags on the outside, and a photo of a RI voter registration form.
Dec 02, 2025

ACLU of RI Issues Statement on Trump Administration Lawsuit Regarding Rhode Island Voters' Personal Data

"Drivers’ licenses and social security numbers provided as part of the voter registration process are sensitive pieces of information that deserve to be protected and that the Department of Justice has absolutely no legitimate need for."

Light purple and dark blue graphic with a photo of people in voting booths with USA flags on the outside, and a photo of a RI voter registration form.
Dec 02, 2025

ACLU of RI and The Lawyering Project File Court Brief Opposing the Dismantling of Federal Maternal Health Infrastructure

A “friend of the court” brief that illustrates through personal stories the critical need for federal systems that work to prevent maternal deaths.

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Dec 01, 2025

Local Governments and Nonprofit Groups Challenge Unlawful New Trump-Vance Administration Restrictions That Threaten Proven Solutions to Homelessness

Suit Raises Concerns that Trump-Vance Administration Actions Will Push More Than 170,000 People Into Homelessness as Cold Winter Months Arrive

Blue and orange graphic with apartment rooflines.