RI ACLU asks Mayor Elorza to end ban on residential picketing in light of Gardner protests

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – As protestors continue to picket outside child rapist Richard Gardner’s new home, the Rhode Island ACLU is calling out the city for not enforcing a rule preventing such protests.

Providence has an ordinance banning targeted residential picketing. There have been protests outside of Gardner’s home every night for almost a week. Police have been there to make sure nothing gets out of hand on either side.

Steven Brown, the executive director of the RI ACLU, is suggesting the city get rid of the ordinance altogether, instead of looking the other way. He sent a letter Saturday to Mayor Jorge Elorza (D) to urge him to consider this alternative.

“Otherwise, it really is just an egregious violation of the First Amendment to allow people to violate the ordinance for this and not for other things,” explained Brown.

As for the protests themselves, while Brown supports them on a freedom of speech level, he also adds they may be counter-productive.

“Trying to kick [Gardner] out means you may end up with a homeless person, where you have no idea where he is, so if you’re concerned about his presence, you might also want to be concerned about his absense,” said Brown.

Neighbors who spoke with ABC6 News beg to disagree, saying their sense of security is shattered because Gardner isn’t just any predator since he would still be committed if not for a legal technicality.

As for the Mayor’s response, a city spokesperson sent us a statement saying the ACLU letter has been referred to the city’s law department for review.

(C) WLNE/ABC 6 2018