ACLU RI announces 'victory for First Amendment rights' as State of the State protests allowed in rotunda

R.I. Governor McKee restores some public access to the rotunda for State of the State address, after backlash - The Boston Globe

The ACLU filed a lawsuit over McKee’s decision to block protesters from the State House rotunda during last year’s speech

R.I. State House rotunda to remain mostly open during State of the State per ACLU agreement • Rhode Island Current

A protester holds up a sign in the hallway at the Rhode Island State House during Gov. Dan McKee's State of the State 2025 address on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)The second floor entrance to the floor of the Rhode Island House of Representatives will remain closed when Gov. Dan McKee unveils his 2026 State of the State address next week. But the rest of the State House will remain open for members of t…

ACLU RI announces 'victory for First Amendment rights' as State of the State protests allowed in rotunda

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island announced that the state has agreed to allow a planned protest in the State House rotunda during 2026’s State of the State Address. In 2025, protesters appeared at the speech from Governor Dan McKee, calling for a public health emergency to combat economic disparity and homelessness in Rhode Island. The group was blocked from the rotunda and the second floor by police, …

McKee administration drops plan to bar protesters from rotunda during speech – Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly

Rhode Island will allow protesters into the State House rotunda during Gov. McKee’s State of the State after an ACLU lawsuit over free speech access.