ACLU supporter –

As most of the ACLU of Northern California region begins its fourth week of an extended shelter-in-place order due to the spread of COVID-19, I offer my best wishes for your health and safety, and that of your family and community.

Both here and nationwide, we are confronting a range of civil liberties issues and challenges posed by this unprecedented crisis. Through the efforts of our legal and policy team, we are putting government actors on notice as we uncover abuses of power and disparate treatment of vulnerable communities.

On March 24, we filed a suit, Bahena Ortuño v Jennings, demanding that ICE release detainees with serious medical conditions that put them at great risk of contracting the potentially fatal COVID-19 infection.

To date, we have sent almost 40 letters to a variety of government officials on a spectrum of civil rights or civil liberties issues arising from COVID-19. You can view the letters and statements sent here. Updates are posted daily. We are currently following up on these letters to hold officials accountable.

Unfortunately, we know things will get worse before they get better. The ACLU of Northern CA will be prepared, both operationally and in our advocacy, for this period to last longer than anticipated. One of our most important priorities is to address the risks of the spread of COVID-19 in county jails and state prisons, which disproportionately incarcerate people of color. We ask that you please sign this petition.

I hope we will come out of this experience stronger and more united in our common humanity with respect for every person's dignity and rights.

Thanks for sticking with us,

Abdi Soltani
Executive Director, ACLU of Northern California