The Boston Globe — An argument over beach access in R.I. leads to a libel and trespassing lawsuit

Beachgoers watched as larger than normal waves crash into the sand ahead of Hurricane Henri at Charlestown Breachway beach in Charlestown, R.I., on Aug. 21.STEW MILNE/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Aug 25, 2021

By Brian Amaral — Cooler heads are not prevailing after one particular confrontation in Charlestown earlier this summer.

CHARLESTOWN, RI — Disputes over beach access in Rhode Island are not uncommon, and they often end when someone moves their chair, angrily storms off, or decides to let things settle down.

But cooler heads are not prevailing after one particular confrontation earlier this summer: A beachfront homeowner is suing a woman for trespassing on his property and for libel over her description of the episode in a Facebook group about coastal access. The woman says the man bullied her and tried to eject her from a place where she had every right to be. The man says he did no such thing and accused her of smearing his reputation, going far beyond reasonable discourse.

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