ACLU of Rhode Island

@riaclu.bsky.social

4583 Followers 115 Following

Defending fundamental rights and freedoms in the Ocean State since 1959. riaclu.org

On a beige background, a photo of Frederick Douglass with a quote written: “The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me. This Fourth July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice. I must mourn.” - Abolitionist Frederick Douglass’s July 5, 1852 speech, ‘What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?
Pink graphic with a photo of the RI State House and text that reads "The RI Legislative Session has officially ended!" and "We testified on 365 bills in 2026."
Letter from the ACLU of RI to the Little Compton Town Council, pg 1 of 4
Photo of a wooden basket filled with small tomatoes on grass. White text says “This and bodily autonomy”
Photo of a pink sunset sky with a rainbow arching across the sky. Blue and yellow houses and overhead wires are visible. Black text says “This and LGBTQ+ safety”
Photo of white cup held by a hand. The cup says “(your favorite local frozen lemonade brand here)”. The cup has two pretzel sticks coming out of it, and white text that says “This and civil liberties for all”. The background is a blurry bright green park.
Photo of dachshund dog laying on a bed with a photoshopped ACLU red and blue hat on, and a well-loved pocket constitution to the dog's right. ACLU Foundation of RI and 40Gives logos are below. Black text above the dog says: "This is Ralphie. Ralphie knows the ACLU of RI has been showing up for Rhode Islanders across the state for 67 (human) years and that their work is more essential to preserving our democracy than ever."
Photo of sign that says ice out of our cities and ACLU being held into the sky in a crowd of people
White and yellow graphic with dark blue text and an image of a Flock Safety camera. The text reads: "There are nearly 300 automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras in Rhode Island, and all of them are virtually unregulated. Many ALPR cameras 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. This bill would institute critical safeguards around surveillance technology, such as: • Limiting the collection and use of data • Limiting how the data can be shared across law enforcement agencies • Making a clear process cities and towns have to follow when they want to install these surveillance cameras"
A graphic with a blue background, and a yellow beam of sunlight spotlighting a picture of the Rhode Island State House. ACLU of RI and Sunshine Week logos are on the righthand side. Text says: "Support Rhode Island bills H7305 & S2389! Government transparency at every level is critical for democracy." At the bottom of the graphic it says "Sunshine Week 2026"
A graphic with orange background and two screenshots of a police report. The top photo shows a lot of redacted text. There's a box that says "redacted version..." next to it. There's a black arrow pointing to a second screenshot of the same text, with a box that says "...and what was redacted." The text is highlighted to show that police had redacted someone yelling "free speech" into a news camera. The words "sunshine week 2026" and the ACLU of RI logo are at the bottom.
Black background with bold yellow text reading, “THIS COUNTRY BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE” Center image shows a crowd holding signs, including one that reads “IMMIGRANTS ARE WELCOME HERE.” Lower text reads, “JOIN US IN THE STREETS SATURDAY, MARCH 28” and “RHODE ISLAND STATE HOUSE, 1PM-4PM” with the ACLU logo at the bottom.
Photo from middle of audience at the advocacy training. Two people, one with long red hair on the left and short dark brown hair on the right, are in focus in the bottom third of the photo. The presenter and a colorful presentation screen is out of focus in the background.
Blue background. Neon yellow text says "Students protest rights" at the top. White text says: CAN I BE DISCIPLINED FOR PARTICIPATING IN A WALKOUT? Because the law requires you to attend school, the administration can take corrective action against you for missing class, even if you do it to participate in a political protest. Two important limitations on what school officials can do: A RI state law bars schools from issuing out-of-school suspensions because you are truant or late to class. The same limitation should apply to walkouts. The school cannot punish you more harshly for missing school to participate inpolitical protest than for missingschool for any other purpose."
A white graphic with a yellow strip at the top, and ACLU of RI and Equity Impact Campaign at the bottom. Text says, top to bottom: "2026 Rhode Island Legislative Session We SUPPORT H 7236. This bill creates a 2-year pilot program to prepare Equity Impact Statements on designated legislation. Equity Impact Statements will analyze the potential discriminatory impact of bills on vulnerable populations so legislators can make more informed decisions. More details: The bill would allow the Speaker of the House (5), the Senate President (5), and the RIBLIA Caucus (5 statements in each chamber) to request up to 20 Equity Impact Statements within a given session. The bill would designate the Commission on Health Advocacy & Equity as the main drafting body and will come at no cost to the state."
Image with four photos of a woman with brown hair presenting, the RI State House against a blue sky, the backs of attendees at a presentation, and a microphone. A white parallelogram with text about the event in in the middle of the graphic.
Graphic with black background and yellow and white text. "KNOW YOUR PROTEST RIGHTS" and a numbered list of 6 protest rights: You don't need a permit to protest as long as traffic and building access are not obstructed. You have the right to photograph anything in plain view while lawfully in public. If your rights are violated, document everything. If stopped by police, ask if you are free to go. If yes, calmly walk away. If arrested, invoke your right to remain silent and request a lawyer.
Purple graphic with ACLU of RI and Common Cause RI logos. Dark blue and dark red text says "On December 9, we intervened in the Department of Justice’s lawsuit against the State of Rhode Island to protect voters’ sensitive, non-public data. Here’s what that means..."
Dark blue graphic with white and pink text that says "This Giving Tuesday, check if your employer offers a donation match! Every donation helps us protect civil liberties." Blue and pink graphics of a woman holding a sign that says "free speech, free country" and the statue of liberty are below the text.
Yellow background with text explaining why Flock cameras are a threat to privacy. A red dotted line zigzags across the bottom of the graphic.
Yellow graphic with words "holiday convo guide: surveillance in RI" and blue photos of Flock Safety cameras.
Event space with string lights on the ceiling and about 120 people seated around tables eating and socializing.
ACLU Foundation of RI invitation with text about the event and pink, blue, and red graphics.
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.”
Image of downtown Providence with black text: "Propaganda we’re NOT falling for: Iced coffee is just for summer Community safety means more police Racial profiling doesn’t happen in RI Rhode Islanders know how to drive Red light cameras are installed for our safety, not to raise revenue All lemonades are equally good (iykyk) People are sent to the ACI to be rehabilitated The Training School isn’t just prison for kids It doesn’t matter who you know $2000+ tiny apartments are affordable Criminalizing homelessness will reduce homelessness Everything is 20 minutes away Civil liberties violations only happen in big states”
White and green graphic with text "ACLU of RI Settles Flase Arrest Lawsuit of Woonsocket Man for $550,000." The ACLU Foundation of RI logo is in the bottom left corner, and the words "Justice reform" in all caps is in the bottom right corner.
A light blue graphic that says “dissent is patriotic” with the ACLU logo at the bottom. A stylized red megaphone image is shown on top of a blue star.
Blue background with black text: Government Transparency. Settlement reached in Smithfield School District social media censorship lawsuit. ACLU of Rhode Island Foundation in lower left corner.
A graphic with a black background and bold yellow and white text at the top reading "KNOW YOUR PROTEST RIGHTS:" followed by a numbered list of six key protest rights: You don't need a permit to protest in response to breaking news or to march on sidewalks or streets as long as traffic and building access are not obstructed. You have the right to photograph anything in plain view while lawfully in public, including federal buildings and police. If your rights are violated, document everything by writing details, collecting witness contact information, and taking photos of injuries. If stopped by police, ask if you are free to go. If yes, calmly walk away. If arrested, invoke your right to remain silent and request a lawyer. Do not sign, speak, or agree to anything without legal representation. If stopped by military or law enforcement at a protest, you have the right to remain silent and only answer questions in the presence of an attorney, regardless of immigration or citizenship status. At the bottom left, a small logo reads "KNOW YOUR RIGHTS." The ACLU logo appears in red at the bottom right.
Video of Carl Kruger, ACLU of RI Board Member and immigration attorney, testifying on H5502 in front of the RI House Judiciary Committee. Carl is a white man with a dark grey suit, yellow and green tie, and glasses on the top of his head.
ACLU Senior Policy Counsel Cody Venzke testifying on a critical data privacy bill (S824, H5857) in front of the RI Senate Judiciary Committee.
Brown paper texture with white and blue text, white dots along the boarder, and five separate photos of different musicians playing guitars. Text reads: An evening of Rhode Island Songwriters performing a benefit for ACLU Rhode Island." Blackstone River Theatre, 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, RI. Sunday, May 18, 7pm. Tickets are $20, cash at the door or checks made out to ACLU of RI. www.riaclu.org and www.brtri.org.
A yellow background with a solid light blue graphic of Rhode Island. Black text on the left half of the graphic says "Immigrants' Rights" and "We shared a letter from the National ACLU with all Rhode Island colleges and universities that outlines their rights and responsibilities when dealing with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) investigations and enforcement actions." A black logo of the ACLU Foundation of Rhode Island is in the bottom right corner.
A graphic with a black background and bold yellow text at the top reading "KNOW YOUR PROTEST RIGHTS:" followed by a numbered list of four key protest rights in white text: You don’t need a permit to protest in streets or on sidewalks if you’re not obstructing traffic or access to buildings. You have the right to photograph anything in plain view, including police. If stopped by the police, ask if you’re free to go. If yes, calmly walk away. If arrested, ask for a lawyer immediately. Don’t sign, say or agree to anything without a lawyer present. At the bottom left, a small white logo reads "KNOW YOUR RIGHTS." The ACLU logo appears in red at the bottom right.
Video of Heather Burbach, ACLU of RI Board Chair, thanking donors during 401Gives and explaining our new goal to reach $10,000 by 6pm on April 2.
Orange background with black text "recently, at the ACLU of RI we filed lawsuits on behalf of..." and four white boxes summarizing recent lawsuits, in issue areas of justice reform, disability rights, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech. At the bottom, there's a white stripe, with the 401Gives logo, a red + sign, the ACLU Foundation of RI logo, and black text "Donate during 401Gives. 6am, April 1 - 6pm, April 2."
Orange rectangle with six colorful boxes with different key messages: Liberty & Justice in Action; Dissent is Patriotic; Rights Without Borders; No One Above the Law; Schools, Not Surveillance; Privacy is a Right. In the bottom quarter, there's the 401Gives 2025 logo, a plus sign, and the ACLU Foundation of RI logo. There's black text to the right of that that says "401Gives has begun!" with "April 1, 6am - April 2, 6pm" in smaller text below it. A stylized statue of liberty hand holding a torch is visible in the orange background on the right side.
A light blue background, with a yellow beam of light shining on the Rhode Island State House. Black text says, "Sunshine week 2025, government transparency at every level is critical for democracy." A black ACLU of Rhode Island logo and the sunshine week logo are on the bottom right.
Committee room where the Freedom to Read bill (S 238) is being heard. Yellow walls, red carpet, and the back of people's heads are shown, as three people sit at a table facing the committee members.
Cream background with blue "rhode island" text and red "Freedom to Read" text, next to a stack of red, white, and blue books. Black text reads: March 12th at 4pm, Testify in favor of S0238, State House room 313.
A black background with white text that says: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO OPEN YOUR DOOR unless immigration agents have a warrant signed by a judge. Ask agents to show the warrant through a window or slide it under your door, and check it has a judge’s signature. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS from police, immigration agents, or other officials about your immigration status, or what country you are from. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT and to refuse to consent to a search of yourself, your car or your home. ASK FOR A LAWYER if you are arrested — do not answer questions without your lawyer present. You have the right to refuse to sign documents without consulting with a lawyer. ASK “am I under arrest?” if stopped outside your home. If you are not under arrest, you have the right to calmly leave. You have the RIGHT TO RECEIVE DOCUMENTS in a language you understand. If you do not understand English, request an interpreter.
Burgundy text on white background: "Free and open to the public, ACLU of RI legislative advocacy training. Saturday, January 25, 10:30am - 12:30pm. William Hall Public Library, 1825 Broad St, Cranston. This event is not endorsed by or affiliated with the Cranston Public Library. Optional RSVP: riaclu.org/advocacyTraining.
White text on brown background, "VICTORY: ACLU of RI Lawsuit Halts Violation of Attorney-Client Privilege at State Prison" with ripped open confidential envelope.