R.I. Gen. Laws
Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-35 (2026)

Civil action for ethnic or religious intimidation and/or vandalism

✓ current as of July 2026
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(a) Any person, who is maliciously subjected to an act or acts which would reasonably be construed as intended to harass or intimidate the person because of his or her race, religion, or national origin, may bring an action in the superior court against the perpetrator of the act or acts for compensatory damages including damages for emotional distress. The court, in its discretion, may also restrain and enjoin such future acts by the defendant.

(b) If any provision or part of this section or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the section which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions or parts of this section are severable.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2009–2025 · leading case: Lopera v. Town of Coventry, 640 F.3d 388 (1st Cir. 2011).
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Lopera v. Town of Coventry, 640 F.3d 388 (1st Cir. 2011). · cites it 2× “" R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-35(a). For the reasons stated above, the players have not raised a genuine issue of material fact that satisfies either of these standards.”
Lopera v. Town of Coventry, 652 F. Supp. 2d 203 (D.R.I. 2009). · cites it 4× “2-3, and Ethnic Intimidation Statute, R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-35. Both statutes require discriminatory animus.”
State of Rhode Island, by & through Attorney Gen. Peter Kilmartin v. Rhode Island Troopers Ass'n, 187 A.3d 1090 (R.I. 2018). · cites it 3× “§ 1983 ; conspiracy to violate plaintiff's civil rights; assault and battery; malicious prosecution; false imprisonment and false arrest; intentional infliction of emotional distress; and violations of G.L. 1956 § 9-1-35 and G.L. 1956 § 31-21.”
Lipscomb v. State of Rhode Island (D.R.I. 2025). · cites it 5× “2-3; and (4) the Rhode Island Ethnic Intimidation Statute, R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-35. Pl.’s Am. Pleadings Civ.”
Lopera v. Town of Coventry (1st Cir. 2011). “" R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-35(a). For the reasons -30- stated above, the players have not raised a genuine issue of material fact that satisfies either of these standards.”
— R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-35(a) — 3 cases
Lopera v. Town of Coventry, 640 F.3d 388 (1st Cir. 2011). “" R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-35(a). For the reasons stated above, the players have not raised a genuine issue of material fact that satisfies either of these standards.”
State of Rhode Island, by & through Attorney Gen. Peter Kilmartin v. Rhode Island Troopers Ass'n, 187 A.3d 1090 (R.I. 2018). “§ 1983 ; conspiracy to violate plaintiff's civil rights; assault and battery; malicious prosecution; false imprisonment and false arrest; intentional infliction of emotional distress; and violations of G.L. 1956 § 9-1-35 and G.L. 1956 § 31-21.”
Lopera v. Town of Coventry (1st Cir. 2011). “" R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-35(a). For the reasons -30- stated above, the players have not raised a genuine issue of material fact that satisfies either of these standards.”
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