Here are some examples of activist groups in Rhode Island:
The NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN (rinow.org). The Rhode Island chapter of this national group, like its counterparts in other states, is dedicated to women’s rights and gender equality. RI NOW promotes an aggressive legislative agenda at the Rhode Island General Assembly that includes advancing reproductive freedom, winning lesbian rights, and winning gender equality. RI NOW organizes volunteer and educational opportunities, holds regularly meetings, and organizes networking opportunities.
The SIERRA CLUB (rhodeisland.sierraclub.org) is the local chapter for the Sierra Club, America’s oldest grassroots environmental organization. The Rhode Island Sierra Club works on issues including clean water, forest conservation, and overpopulation. The local chapter is committed to a vision that includes protecting the coastline and broadening the prosperity of local communities. It also advocates for green jobs and affordable clean transportation. The Sierra Club coordinates a variety of activities, from contacting local legislators to leading educational campaigns that raise public awareness about local environmental issues.
Another environmental organization, SAVE THE BAY (savebay.org) is unique to Rhode Island in that it is committed to protecting and restoring Narragansett Bay, one of the state’s top natural resources. Save the Bay’s ongoing volunteer opportunities includes working on beach cleanups and habitat restoration.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF RHODE ISLAND (ppri.org) is dedicated to promoting education about reproductive rights for women, and preserving those rights. On the other side of the issue, RHODE ISLAND RIGHT TO LIFE (www.rirtl.org) advocates for the pro-life point of view.
PROGRESO LATINO (progresolatino.org) works to empower the Latino Community by providing a continuum of services and opportunities for well-being and self-sufficiency. Progreso Latino volunteers work with its members to advocate, fundraise, and to provide critical financial support to the organization.
The RI LATINO CIVIC FUND (rilcivicfund.org) was established to promote civic education, voter registration, and political participation by Latinos. The Civic Fund actively educates and informs elected officials about issues impacting the Latino community. It also stages political debates and community forums.
OCEAN STATE ACTION (oceanstateaction.org), another organization unique to Rhode Island, is a national coalition of community organizations, environmental groups, professional associations, and labor unions working for economic, social, and environmental equity. Ocean State Action focuses on coalition-building, community-organizing, leadership training, and lobbying for public policy.
MARRIAGE EQUALITY RHODE ISLAND (marriageequalityri.org) is a grassroots group that seeks the legalization of marriage for same-sex couples in Rhode Island. It stages rallies, fundraisers, and organizes letter-writing and other campaigns to influence Rhode Island legislators.
FAIRVOTE RHODE ISLAND (fairvote.org/ri) develops and promotes strategies to improve voting at the state and local level. FairVote RI focuses on the constitutionally protected right to vote, universal voter registration, proportional voting for legislative elections, and a national popular vote for president. FairVote RI has a volunteer network across Rhode Island that advocates for electoral reform at the General Assembly.
The RHODE ISLAND DEMOCRATIC PARTY (ridemocrats.org) and RHODE ISLAND REPUBLICAN PARTY (rigop.org) are the local branches of the parties that dominate American politics. Not surprisingly, the Democratic group — which enjoys a virtual monopoly in the legislature — is the stronger of the two. Yet each has opportunities for staffing events, general office support, canvassing neighborhoods, and registering voters.
