Protecting rights in RI since 1959.

Stay informed about civil liberties, get our email updates:

homepage hero image

The Latest

News & Commentary
Dark pink background with two shapes, a light blue accent and a blue and dark red image of a door and handle.

Tenant Organizers’ Free Speech Rights Vindicated as Judge Rejects Landlord’s Defamation Claim

“The judge’s ruling is a decisive victory that the court saw through Butler’s attempt at silencing tenant advocacy through the guise of defamation.”
Resource
Blue voting bubble graphic with "2026 RI Midterm Candidate Survey Civil Liberties Edition" on a cream colored background. ACLU of RI logo in lower right corner.

RI Midterm Candidate Questions: Civil Liberties Edition

We sent a survey of civil liberties questions to all the candidates running for statewide office (except for Treasurer) that will be on the ballot in the 2026 Rhode Island midterm elections, as well as the Providence mayoral candidates.
Event | In-Person
Cream background with red leaves and purple violets, RI State House, and text about the upcoming annual meeting.

2026 ACLU of Rhode Island Annual Meeting

Nov 12, 2026 | 6:00 PM (ET)
News & Commentary
Yellow and blue graphic with an image of actors rehearsing on a stage.

First Circuit Hears Arguments in Case Challenging Viewpoint-Based Penalties in Federal Funding for the Arts   

Theater and arts groups asked the court to uphold a court ruling that blocked the government from restricting NEA funding based on perceived ideology

Issues We're Monitoring

Criminal Justice Reform First Amendment Government Transparency Immigrants’ Rights LGBTQ+ Rights Privacy & Technology Racial Justice View All Issues

Flock Safety ALPR Cameras 101: Surveillance in Rhode Island

Automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras are rapidly being installed in Rhode Island but are virtually unregulated in our state. Many ALPR cameras, such as those made by the brand Flock Safety, are continuously collecting data that can be kept and accessed by law enforcement agencies across the country. In short, we’re being surveilled as we travel through our state. Learn more about ALPR cameras, and what you can do to help protect privacy in our communities.

 

Explore Campaign
Yellow background with gradient of blue Flock cameras.

Featured Case

Yellow and blue graphic with an image of actors rehearsing on a stage.

Rhode Island Latino Arts v. National Endowment for the Arts

Artists and theater groups are challenging a certification requirement and funding prohibition for National Endowment for the Arts’ grant applications that requires applicants to attest that they will not “promote gender ideology” in order to be eligible for funding, and blocks any projects that reasonably appear to “promote gender ideology” from getting an award.