ACLU of Rhode Island challenges landlord’s SLAPP lawsuit against tenant organizers The ACLU of Rhode Island has announced a legal challenge to what it characterizes as a SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) suit filed by landlord Jeffrey Carvalho against tenant organizers who criticized his management practices, arguing the defamation case is intended to silence protected speech and organizing by renters, and raising broader civil-liberties concerns about free expression, housing advocacy, and the use of the courts to intimidate community organizers in Rhode Island’s ongoing debates over tenant rights and housing policy.[4]

Hey RI, the ACLU is pushing back on a landlord’s lawsuit against tenant organizers, calling it a SLAPP to shut down free speech. Housing fights are real here—shouldn’t folks be able to speak out without fear? #RITenants #HousingRights #RISpeech

ACLU RI Announces Victory for First Amendment Rights in State House Protest Agreement The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island announced that the state has agreed to allow protesters access to most of the State House rotunda during Governor Dan McKee's 2026 State of the State address on January 13, following a lawsuit over free speech restrictions after protesters were blocked in 2025. The agreement keeps the first floor and rotunda open for peaceful protest while securing a pathway for dignitaries, marking a preliminary win for civil liberties, though the lawsuit continues for lasting access.

Big win for free speech at the RI State House! ACLU RI got the rotunda opened for peaceful protests during the 2026 State of the State. Government shouldn’t block our voices—let’s keep it that way. What’s worth protesting to you? #RISpeech #RIStateHouse

Rhode Island Legal Expert Discusses Free Speech and Employment Rights Amid National Debate On September 22, 2025, Mary T. O'Sullivan, a Rhode Island legal expert, addressed the complex intersection of free speech, social media, and employment in the wake of the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk. She highlighted how employers across the United States, including universities, healthcare organizations, and private companies, have been disciplining or firing employees for social media posts related to the event. This situation underscores the tension between individual free speech rights and organizational values, especially in sectors where public trust and professionalism are critical. The discussion reflects ongoing rights-based debates relevant to Rhode Island's civil liberties landscape.

Free speech or pink slip? RI legal expert weighs in on getting canned for social media posts. Where’s the line between your rights and your job? Gotta wonder how much control bosses should have over our words. #RISpeech #FreeSpeech #OceanState