The spread of COVID-19, a novel strain of Coronavirus, is unprecedented. The Coronavirus pandemic touches every aspect of life, which means it touches all of our civil rights.
We at the ACLU of New Jersey are monitoring to make sure that government actions reflect public health and scientific evidence – not fear. And we’re monitoring to make sure that our rights – and in particular, the rights of the most vulnerable – remain intact.
In every way, the COVID-19 pandemic is a matter of racial justice. Historic inequities – in health care access, discrimination, language barriers, immigration status, restrictions on who can receive emergency aid, accessibility of technology, economic disparities, disproportionate involvement in the criminal justice system, exposure to environmental contaminants, and pretty much every aspect of life in America – have meant that the disease and its effects on society have hit people of color hardest.
One grim marker of these inequities is the racial disparities in COVID-19 fatalities. As of April 7, Black New Jerseyans made up 24 percent of the COVID-19 deaths in the state, despite making up only 13.7 percent of the state’s population.
In the midst of this unprecedented pandemic, as we experience radical changes to the way we live, we must make sure that we do not compound or even worsen the undercurrent of racial injustices that pervade American life.
Our officials should do everything in their power to lower the incarcerated population to prevent the spread of COVID-19, from release of low-risk individuals to relaxed enforcement of low-level offenses and alternatives to arrest. Given the disparities in the criminal justice system, this is a matter of racial justice.
Immigrants are particularly vulnerable, especially people in immigration detention. Yet immigrants face heightened risks, with extra pressure to go to work, exposure to fraud, and far fewer opportunities to have access to relief.
With society at a standstill, the economy stands to suffer – and we know that people with less means will have the most difficulty. We need robust policies for paid leave and sick days and to ensure that all New Jerseyans, regardless of immigration status, are able to access these supports.
We’re committed to making sure COVID-19 does not interfere with fair elections.
Quarantine orders should be based on public health expertise and scientific evidence, not fear.
When a crisis hits, the communities who are usually most affected are those who were vulnerable before the crisis. In crafting policies, lawmakers must be careful not to replicate or exacerbate current inequities, and ensure that supports are provided for those most impacted by systemic inequities.
Prisons, jails, and detention facilities are hotbeds for COVID-19, and we call on government agencies to do all they can to lower the incarcerated population, both through release and relaxed enforcement of low-level offenses. We also need public officials to work with jail and prison administrators to ensure that facilities are following best practices for ensuring the health and safety for everyone who works or is incarcerated in correctional facilities.
New Jersey has the worst disparities in Black-white incarceration in the country – this statistic is especially important to keep in mind as we address reducing the prison population.
