ACLU challenges anti-partying law in one R.I. town

NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (AP) - Lawyers from the Rhode Island branch of the American Civil Liberties Union are filing a lawsuit saying a town's attempt to crack down on noisy college gatherings violates the rights of partygoers.

Narragansett passed an ordinance last September allowing the town to slap bright orange stickers on houses where so-called "unruly gatherings" have occurred without giving students or landlords a chance to appeal.

The lawsuit, filed in Superior Court, said the new law fails to define unruly behavior and unfairly target large groups of people at parties who have done nothing wrong.

Town Council President Brian Handrigan told The Providence Journal that the law has worked to discourage out-of-control parties.

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