'Unruly Gatherings' travels to Providence

09/10/08 - With attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union and the town of Narragansett present, Judge Ernest C. Torres ruled yesterday that their case concerning Narragansett's "Unruly Gatherings" ordinance will be heard in federal court in Providence.The ordinance, also commonly known as the "orange sticker policy," states that all houses deemed as public nuisances must bear a notice on its door for the full length of the academic year. Violators of the ordinance must also pay a fine, and in the case of repeat offenders, they can be subject to additional fines and community service.

URI Student Senate sought the help of ACLU in June to see if it had a case against the town, which according to Senate, has violated students' due process rights with the placement of the stickers.

Ahrens said he was disappointed that the case would go to federal court as opposed to Washington County Superior Court, located in Wakefield. He said with three plaintiffs who already have pending cases against the town, it would've been easier and more convenient for the dispute to be heard in South County.

"The plaintiffs live down here, it would be easier to get statements from witnesses," Ahrens said, "but I'm pleased with the development of the case."

Pending cases outside of the lawsuit have currently been suspended until the outcome to the lawsuit is decided. In light of this, Ahrens said he was hoping the judge would also be willing to order the town to halt the ordinance while the case is being heard in court.

"I want to get [the ordinance] suspended for this year," Ahrens said. "It violates our due process rights, and it shouldn't be going on while the issue is in court."

The Student Senate president admitted that before he approached the ACLU, he didn't know how far they could go to get the ordinance put away, but said he feels more support than ever before.

"I'm really glad things are in motion now, and I'm not stopping until those orange stickers are gone," he said.

Narragansett Town Council President T. Brian Handrigan was unavailable for comment before press time.