Press & News
Projo — His quest? Walk RI's entire coast- But private property and blocked access are a challenge
By Antonia Noori Farzan — The South Kingstown man just wanted some exercise with an ocean view. But seawalls, "no trespassing" signs and other barriers often block the way.
The Independent — Judge tosses policy limiting voters in Bonnet Shores FD
By Ryan Blessing — A Superior Court judge this week ruled against a Bonnet Shores Fire District policy that prevents residents who own less than $400 of property in the district from voting in its elections…
Boston Globe — R.I. judge says beachfront fire district unconstitutionally restricted voting
By Brian Amaral — A Rhode Island shoreline fire district can’t restrict voting in its elections solely to people who own property, including beach cabanas, a state judge ruled Thursday in a decision hailed by civil rights advocates as a major win for the right to cast a ballot.
Projo — Political Scene: Beach battle: Debate over access heats up this summer
Jul 6, 2019 — By Tom Mooney — A month after Charlestown resident Scott Keeley was arrested for trespassing, he and about 100 other protesters returned to the same swath of beach on Saturday to raise awareness to what they say is the erosion of Rhode Islanders’ state constitutional right to the shore.
Boston Globe — In the Ocean State, a legal dispute centers on voting rights and beach cabanas
By Edward Fitzpatrick — The ACLU blasts Bonnet Shores Fire District for limiting voting rights to those who own more than $400 worth of property
Uprise RI — You must own property to vote in this Rhode Island fire district’s elections
By Steve Ahlquist — “Until every one of our local governments are elected by the people they serve, our work is not done” said ACLU of RI cooperating attorney James Rhodes. “Participation in free and fair elections, whether it be for president, state legislature or local fire district, is the cornerstone of our democracy.”
The Public’s Radio — In coastal South County, fire districts fight shoreline access instead of fires
By Alex Nunes — Rhode Island boasts of its nearly 400 miles of shoreline, yet the state’s eight public saltwater beaches border less than seven miles of that waterfront…