I know how chaotic the world is right now. But especially during times of crisis like the one we’re facing now in the novel coronavirus pandemic, we have to be particularly vigilant to ensure that our rights are prioritized and protected from potential government power grabs and that the most vulnerable in our communities aren’t being exploited in the name of national security and public health. To that end, during this crisis Defending Rights & Dissent will maintain its longtime fidelity to defend the Bill of Rights for everyone and protect political expression in America.
The US, along with the rest of the world, is in the midst of a deadly pandemic. As a result, state and local governments are taking extraordinary measures to prevent the community spread of COVID-19. Defending Rights & Dissent has been working with community organizations to make sure necessary public health precautions don’t inadvertently lead to increased over-policing. We’ve prepared resources that can be found here to help.
This can present challenging questions for civil libertarians and those who are concerned about over-policing. Stay-at-home orders, in the midst of a pandemic are a necessary public health measure. But how do we make sure such orders don’t infringe on civil liberties or lead to increased policing?
What is DRAD doing?
When Defending Rights & Dissent and local community groups in Washington, DC were faced with these issues, we came up with some broad principles for how to enact a stay-at-home order based on principles of decarceration. They include:
- If public health warrants “stay-at-home” orders, as it has in other cities and states across the country, such an order should not increase police-general public encounters.
- While it is perfectly reasonable that such an order be enforced against businesses and similar entities that endanger the public by defying it, it should not create penalties for individuals.
- Stay-at-home orders and social distancing must apply to the police, as well.
- A moratorium on arrests for low-risk offenses must be included in the order.
- Decarceration is now a public health imperative. In addition to suspending non-emergency matters, the city should consider dismissing all nonviolent cases and lower-level violent cases with no history of violence.
We recently circulated a community sign-on letter making these demands known to DC government officials, including Mayor Muriel Bowser (you can read the letter here). While these principles were meant to influence a potential stay-at-home order in DC (DC will be contacting residents this evening, urging them to stay at home), they are broadly applicable. If you or community groups you are part of are concerned about how a stay at order could impact police-community encounters, these principles could help guide your advocacy. Defending Rights & Dissent has prepared sample language that can be found here.
What Can I Do?
Just because we’re facing a crisis doesn’t mean attempts to chip away at our civil liberties have subsided. Last week, it was reported that Trump’s Attorney General William Barr is seeking expansive new police powers in the wake of the coronavirus crisis - including the ability to detain individuals indefinitely without due process.
We need your voice today! We cannot allow the Trump administration to use a public health crisis to undermine our rights. During a time when we should be coming together to address a common enemy, William Barr is choosing to use it as an opportunity to continue his assault on our constitutional rights. Congress needs to hear from YOU.
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I know that these are trying times. But together, we can rise to this unique moment. Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay vigilant.
In Solidarity,
Sue
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