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ACLU of Rhode Island @riaclu.bsky.social · 3h

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.

No Kings

As the president escalates his authoritarian power grab, the NO KINGS non-violent movement continues to rise stronger. We are united once again to remind the world: America has No Kings and the power ...

www.nokings.org

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ACLU of Rhode Island @riaclu.bsky.social · 1d

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.

Federal Court Blocks Trump-Vance Administration’s Unlawful Restrictions on Health and Housing Grants - ACLU of Rhode Island

A federal judge entered an order preliminarily blocking the unlawful restrictions imposed on federal grants administered by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

www.riaclu.org

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ACLU of Rhode Island @riaclu.bsky.social · 1d

🚨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 ⬇️

Providence Residents: Contact Your Council Member in Support of Immigrants’ Rights! - ACLU of Rhode Island

The Providence City Council will be voting on Thursday, October 16, to amend the city’s Community-Police Relations Act (CPRA), which would place clear limits on Providence Police assistance with immig...

www.riaclu.org

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ACLU of Rhode Island @riaclu.bsky.social · 2d

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.

ACLU Files Brief in Support of Gun Owners Criminally Charged for Using Medical Marijuana - ACLU of Rhode Island

"Friend of the court” brief filed supporting a challenge to a federal law that completely bars unlawful users of controlled substances – including medical marijuana, which, though legal in Rhode Islan...

www.riaclu.org

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Reposted by ACLU of Rhode Island

Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 4d

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.

A synopsis that includes a plot summary of George Orwell's "1984" from RI ACLU and RI Library Association's Banned Books Week event at the Cranston, RI Public Library on October 6, 2025.

Author and journalist Phil Eil reads excerpts from George Orwell's "1984" to a full room at the RI ACLU and RI Library Association's Banned Books Week event at the Cranston, RI Public Library on October 6, 2025.

Cards that say "READING BANNED BOOKS is PATRIOTIC" and a sticker that says "SPEAK UP! FIGHT CENSORSHIP! PROTECT FREE SPEECH!"

Signs from the ACLU that read "FREE SPEECH, FREE COUNTRY" and "PROTECT IMMIGRANTS."

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ACLU of Rhode Island @riaclu.bsky.social · 5d

And: (3/3)
– Ensuring people have meaningful recourse when their rights are violated

We strongly support these proposed amendments!

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ACLU of Rhode Island @riaclu.bsky.social · 5d

Also included in the ordinance: (2/3)
– Better defining what “assisting operations” means in restricting police collaboration with immigration enforcement agencies
– Banning ICE access to “technology, data, and/or footage” from PVD's Real Time Crime Center without a court order

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ACLU of Rhode Island @riaclu.bsky.social · 5d

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.

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ACLU of Rhode Island @riaclu.bsky.social · 8d

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.

ACLU Of RI Condemns Trump Administration’s Newest Threats to Higher Education, Urges Brown University to Reject Demands - ACLU of Rhode Island

The ACLU of Rhode Island sent a letter to Brown University President Christine Paxson condemning the Trump Administration’s new “compact”

www.riaclu.org

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ACLU of Rhode Island @riaclu.bsky.social · 18d

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.

ACLU of Massachusetts @aclum.bsky.social · 18d

NEW: We filed a class action lawsuit to challenge the widespread denial of bond hearings to people detained by ICE in New England.

All people in the United States are entitled to due process — no matter what the Trump administration says.

www.aclum.org/en/press-rel...

New Class Action Lawsuit Challenges Widespread Denial of Due Process in Immigration Courts

The ACLU of Massachusetts filed a class action lawsuit in federal court to challenge the widespread denial of bond hearings to people detained by ICE.

www.aclum.org

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ACLU of Rhode Island @riaclu.bsky.social · 19d

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.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: What You Can Do as a Bystander During Immigration Enforcement Actions - ACLU of Rhode Island

It’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 ...

www.riaclu.org

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ACLU of Rhode Island @riaclu.bsky.social · 21d

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 ⬇️

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Reposted by ACLU of Rhode Island

ACLU @aclu.org · 22d

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.

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ACLU of Rhode Island @riaclu.bsky.social · 22d

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.

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ACLU of Rhode Island @riaclu.bsky.social · 23d

The ACLU has a long history of defending free speech — not just when it’s easy or agreeable, but also when it’s difficult and divisive.

Read the ACLU of RI's full statement on the need to protect free speech now ⬇️ www.riaclu.org/news/aclu-of...

ACLU of RI Statement on the Need to Protect Free Speech - ACLU of Rhode Island

"The ACLU has a long history of defending free speech — not just when it’s easy or agreeable, but also when it’s difficult and divisive. Core political speech must be defended most fiercely when it is...

www.riaclu.org

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Reposted by ACLU of Rhode Island

Economic Progress Institute — PVD, RI @epi-ri.bsky.social · 23d

🫡 these organizations for hosting resource tables at our conference!

@riaclu.bsky.social - Know Your Rights
@commoncauseri.bsky.social - Expanding Voting Rights in RI
@freedomtoreadccc.bsky.social RI - free books!
@risecstate.bsky.social - Voter reg. & small biz resources

🎟️ Tickets: bit.ly/4fx4rh4

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ACLU of Rhode Island @riaclu.bsky.social · 24d

It’s Constitution Day! Commemorating the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787.

Every person in the United States is guaranteed fundamental rights thanks to the Constitution — many rights + freedoms that we take for granted.

Learn more about our ongoing work to protect these freedoms ⬇️

Firewall for Freedom: Protecting Rhode Island - ACLU of Rhode Island

UPDATED JUNE 2025 The work to protect our rights and liberties is a marathon, not a sprint. The ACLU’s quick response to challenging unconstitutional orders and actions over the past few months is jus...

www.riaclu.org

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Reposted by ACLU of Rhode Island

Common Cause Rhode Island @commoncauseri.bsky.social · 25d

Happy #NationalVoterRegistrationDay! Rhode Islanders can register to vote, check their voter registration record, and make any necessary updates by visiting @risecstate.bsky.social's website, vote.ri.gov. Voters from other states can visit nationalvoterregistrationday.org.

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ACLU of Rhode Island @riaclu.bsky.social · 26d

We’re hosting a Banned Books Week event to discuss George Orwell's “1984” + local threats to our rights, like privacy and free speech.

📆Monday, Oct. 6, 6pm-7:15pm
📍Cranston Central Library
⬇️ Registration required, link below

Not endorsed by/affiliated with the Cranston Public Library.

Banned Books Week Event: 1984 and How We Protect Our Freedoms

Join us for a discussion of the historically-banned book 1984 by George Orwell. A speaker will read excerpts from the novel, we will have a group discussion of the common themes between the book and ...

www.ticketleap.events

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ACLU of Rhode Island @riaclu.bsky.social · 29d

This court decision will ensure organizations that provide important housing services, such as the Women's Development Corporation in Rhode Island, will continue to be eligible for funding.

We will continue this case to ensure unlawful criteria are removed.

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ACLU of Rhode Island @riaclu.bsky.social · 29d

INITIAL VICTORY: A RI judge granted a temp. restraining order against new U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Dev. (HUD) grant restrictions that would deny funding to housing organizations merely because they operate in cities/states that the Trump Admin. deems “sanctuary jurisdictions” for immigrants.

Court Blocks Trump-Vance Administration’s Unlawful Housing Grant Restrictions - ACLU of Rhode Island

Rhode Island judge grants temporary restraining order in federal housing funding case.

www.riaclu.org

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ACLU of Rhode Island @riaclu.bsky.social · Sep 11

⚓️ the RI connection:
Here’s a quick look at why our newest lawsuit against the Trump Admin. is important for RI, as the federal gov't uses money for critical housing services as a political tool.

Filed alongside Democracy Forward, National Homelessness Law Center, & the Lawyers' Committee for RI.

Yellow graphic with a quote from Amy Romero, Chief Legal Counsel for Lawyers' Committee for Rhode Island: "Instead of addressing the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness, as Congress intended, the Administration is using these funds as a political tool to punish communities that support all of us, regardless of our country of origin, our gender identity, or our mental health needs.”

Yellow graphic with text that says:
The Lawsuit:
The lawsuit filed today challenges one of the Trump Administration's first efforts to punish Rhode Islanders for living in a state that Trump falsely considers to be a so-called “sanctuary jurisdiction” for immigrants. We’re also challenging funding restrictions on organizations that provide “harm reduction” services to people with substance use disorders or have inclusive policies for transgender people.

The Effect in Rhode Island:
These restrictions would completely disqualify Rhode Island organizations from a grant for permanent supportive housing, taking away funding from the very groups that can provide tangible help to Rhode Islanders during the ongoing housing crisis.

About the Rhode Island Plaintiff:
The Women’s Development Corporation is a Rhode Island organization that develops affordable housing for low and moderate income families and people with special housing needs.

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ACLU of Rhode Island @riaclu.bsky.social · Sep 11

BREAKING: We're suing the Trump Admin. over new ideological restrictions on fed. housing grants.

Despite the ongoing housing crisis, the new rules mean that housing organizations may be denied funding just because they're located places that the gov't deems "sanctuary jurisdictions" — including RI.

New Lawsuit Challenges Trump-Vance Administration’s Targeted Punishment of Applicants for Federal Housing Funding - ACLU of Rhode Island

The National Alliance to End Homelessness and Women's Development Corporation, a Rhode Island organization that develops affordable housing, file suit in Rhode Island

www.riaclu.org

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ACLU of Rhode Island @riaclu.bsky.social · Sep 4

Back to school = our annual reminder that public school students have fundamental rights at school!

Take a few minutes to look at our Know Your Rights materials for students and parents/guardians on our website: www.riaclu.org/issues/stude...

Students’ Rights - ACLU of Rhode Island

Protecting the rights of students is key because most people’s first major encounter with the government is in the school setting. For students to appreciate the importance of civil liberties, it is c...

www.riaclu.org

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ACLU of Rhode Island @riaclu.bsky.social · Aug 23

Catch us tabling at The Rhode Island Folk Festival tomorrow, Sunday, August 24! We'll have swag and Know Your Rights materials, and info about how you can get involved in protecting civil liberties in Rhode Island.

Free for all, 12pm-6pm at Crescent Park in Riverside. rhodeislandfolkfestival.com

RI Folk Festival

Enjoy some of the finest Folk, Americana and acoustic music across three stages at this Free Music Festival taking place at Rose Larisa Park in Riverside, RI

rhodeislandfolkfestival.com

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