Protesters blocked from entering rotunda during Rhode Island governor's State of the State address

"Both of these actions are very troubling from a free speech point of view," said Steven Brown, ACLU of Rhode Island executive director. "It's the people's chamber. The media play an important part in covering it, and a state-run media outlet should not be the only one to video record it."

Harrison Tuttle, president of Black Lives Matter Rhode Island PAC, stated that the move by the governor to block off the rotunda was "unprecedented" and prevented unhoused residents from exercising their First Amendment rights.

Tuttle further explained that the governor is effectively determining where Rhode Islanders can use their voice about the things that affect their lives, stating, "This sends a message to any Rhode Islander who ever wishes to come to the State House that unless the governor agrees with your reason for organizing or using your voice, he will not allow you in certain places in the building."

Read at Boston.com