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ACLU of Rhode Island
@riaclu.bsky.social
4.4K followers 110 following 260 posts
Defending fundamental rights and freedoms in the Ocean State since 1959. riaclu.org
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riaclu.bsky.social
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!)
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.
December 2, 2025 at 7:43 PM
riaclu.bsky.social
You can take action:
– Spread the word Flock cameras and threats to our privacy.

– Stay informed about your local town or city council in case they consider any surveillance systems.

– Contact your public officials urge them to reject Flock cameras and to create privacy protections.

(2/2)
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 background with text about who decides if Flock cameras get installed. A screenshot of a recording from a Bristol Town Council meeting. Yellow background with blue Flock cameras and text about how Flock cameras can be removed through contracts expiring, and how advocating against them will make that more likely to happen. Yellow graphic with three bullet points about "what can I do right now?" Spread the word, keep an eye out for Flock cameras and local city or town council meetings, and contact your public officials.
November 25, 2025 at 3:23 PM
riaclu.bsky.social
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)
Yellow graphic with words "holiday convo guide: surveillance in RI" and blue photos of Flock Safety cameras. Yellow graphic with bullet points about Flock Safety cameras. The cameras can capture more info than regular license plate readers. Most RI police departments share with state and federal agencies. There are at least 193 Flock cameras in RI. They cameras are put up with taxpayer money, but we don't know exactly how much. Yellow graphic with a photo of a Flock camera in providence against a blue sky. Text explains what Flock cameras are, and their invasive capabilities. Yellow background with a translucent graphic of Rhode Island, talking about the "RI angle" and how Flock cameras are virtually unregulated in RI.
November 25, 2025 at 3:23 PM
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“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.
Event space with string lights on the ceiling and about 120 people seated around tables eating and socializing. A man and a woman reading descriptions next to large portraits of local advocates at an art display on a white wall. Attendees at a table talking with a brick wall behind them. Deborah Gonzalez gives Civil Libertarian of the Year Marta V. Martínez her award. The two people are standing behind a tall table, with a wood door and brick wall behind them.
November 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM
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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.
ACLU Foundation of RI invitation with text about the event and pink, blue, and red graphics.
October 12, 2025 at 2:31 PM
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⚓️ 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.
September 11, 2025 at 6:01 PM
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We may be late to this trend, but the propaganda remains the same…
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”
July 27, 2025 at 7:41 PM
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VICTORY: We have settled our case on behalf of the man who was illegally arrested twice and incarcerated for weeks by the Woonsocket police.

This is justice within the system, but no settlement can give our client back the 31 days he spent incarcerated for crimes he did not commit.
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.
July 24, 2025 at 1:19 PM
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A reminder for this Fourth of July and every other day of the year: Democracies do not function without dissent.
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.
July 4, 2025 at 5:21 PM
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SETTLED: Smithfield School District has made two official X accounts public again, and unblocked our plaintiff + others.

It’s 2025 — official social media accounts have become another type of public forum. Public officials can't block people simply because they don't agree with their viewpoints.
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.
July 1, 2025 at 2:18 PM
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The 2025 Rhode Island Legislative Session is over! We testified on hundreds of bills this session, showing up every week to advocate for your rights and liberties.
June 21, 2025 at 7:19 PM
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We’re at PrideFest today! Catch us on the Dyer St. side of the festivities.

We have NEW merch, including hand fans and sunscreen, Know Your Rights materials for LGBTQ+ folks in RI, and we’d love to tell you about what work we’re doing to protect all of our rights!
June 21, 2025 at 1:01 PM
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⬇️ Know your rights if you're going to a protest! Be prepared, for yourself and for those around you.
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.
June 12, 2025 at 7:36 PM
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Want to learn more about this bill (H5502, S63) and our existing immigration laws?

Watch this clip of Carl Kruger, an ACLU of RI Board Member and immigration attorney, testifying in front of the House Judiciary Committee on April 1.
May 29, 2025 at 4:36 PM
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Highlights from this week in the RI Legislative Session...

📱 @aclu.org Senior Policy Counsel Cody Venzke joined us to testify on a critical data privacy bill (S824, H5857)

⭐️ We've submitted testimony on over 300 bills this session!

Read about more bills + how to get involved⬇️
ACLU Senior Policy Counsel Cody Venzke testifying on a critical data privacy bill (S824, H5857) in front of the RI Senate Judiciary Committee.
May 16, 2025 at 5:37 PM
riaclu.bsky.social
This Sunday, enjoy an evening of Rhode Island songwriters and support our work!

Sunday, May 18 at 7pm, at the Blackstone River Theatre (549 Broad St.) in Cumberland. Tickets are $20, cash or check.

Huge thanks to Jan Luby — who will also be performing — for organizing this benefit concert!
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.
May 15, 2025 at 6:56 PM
riaclu.bsky.social
Our digital privacy is critical: H 5857 would specifically protect us from companies tracking and using information about our reproductive and gender-affirming care choices.

Thanks to @aclu.org Senior Policy Counsel Cody Venzke for testifying on this important bill earlier this week!
April 25, 2025 at 6:22 PM
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We shared a letter from the @aclu.org with all RI colleges/universities that outlines their rights and responsibilities when dealing with ICE investigations, as ICE continues its retaliatory crackdown against noncitizen students for their First Amendment-protected speech + advocacy.
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.
April 23, 2025 at 2:15 PM
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📢 Protesting this weekend? Read about your protest rights, then share with your friends! Second slide has more thorough info ⬇️

Plus, our National office @aclu.org is hosting a virtual Know Your Rights training tonight at 8pm. Sign up here: act.aclu.org/a/handsoffkyr
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. 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.
April 4, 2025 at 3:47 PM
riaclu.bsky.social
Thank you, thank you, thank you — we ended 401gives with over $9,900 from 127 donors!

These funds are go towards protecting your rights in Rhode Island, something we couldn’t do without your support!
April 2, 2025 at 10:36 PM
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We're close to raising $10,000 this 401Gives — can you help us reach that threshold by 6pm tonight?

We are so grateful for every single donation we've received, affirming what we know is true: Our work defending for civil liberties is more crucial than ever. Thank you for your support!
April 2, 2025 at 4:28 PM
riaclu.bsky.social
Any donation during 401Gives will help us continue to protect and defend civil liberties in Rhode Island — every dollar keeps us in the fight! Plus, your donation at 4:01pm may be doubled. Go to: www.401gives.org/organization...
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."
April 1, 2025 at 4:33 PM
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We're already 2hrs into 401Gives! Your contribution to the ACLU Foundation of RI helps ensure that everyone's rights are upheld, regardless of their background or beliefs. Help us get a jump start on the day + help us potentially get bonus funds by donating early: www.401gives.org/organization...
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.
April 1, 2025 at 12:30 PM
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If it feels like spring, that might be because it’s Sunshine Week (even if it's raining!) ☀️ This is when we highlight importance of government transparency, which is critical for democracy, at every level.
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.
March 17, 2025 at 4:29 PM
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The committee room is full, so some folks are in an overflow area watching the proceedings! Our executive director just testified.
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. Photo of the Senate Gallery, which is being used for overflow. Over 20 people are sitting, watching a screen with the proceedings, or chatting.
March 12, 2025 at 10:15 PM