Page updated on July 31, 2020
At this unprecedented moment in our history, the ground can feel like it’s shifting nearly every minute. Our nation is facing a serious public health crisis, and it’s important that we do what we can to take care of ourselves and each other.
The need to safeguard the civil liberties of all Minnesotans becomes even more crucial in times like this. We must protect public health, and we must protect everyone’s rights. These goals are intertwined. The heart of supporting civil liberties is believing in equality, equity and rights for all.
Watch the bottom of this page for additional resources.
Nobody should be afraid to seek medical care for fear of immigration enforcement. ICE has stated that it does not conduct enforcement at medical facilities, except under extraordinary circumstances.
People in detention are highly vulnerable to contagious illnesses because they are housed in close quarters and are often in poor health. We have called on state officials to do all they can to safeguard inmates’ health and civil liberties, including releasing people who are in jail because they can’t afford bail, limiting arrests to only the most serious offenses, and instituting furloughs for those in prison at high risk of contracting the virus.
Our state must support people who cannot afford to miss work or who lack paid sick leave. All Minnesotans face increased risk if people go to work because they can't afford not to. The government must work with employers to ensure all workers are supported in voluntarily staying home right now. We must support children who are home because schools have closed. All students must have equal access to an education, regardless of whether they have access to the internet or other resources.
If you are feeling sick, you should stay home, avoid contact with others and monitor your symptoms. Contact your primary health care provider if your symptoms — particularly your fever, cough or shortness of breath — become severe. It is recommended that you call your provider and describe your symptoms before seeking in-person care.
Individuals with questions about how they can protect themselves and others from infection can view guidelines and recommendations from these respected organizations:
COVID-19 does not discriminate based on race, where you come from, your immigration status, or anything else. One of the disconcerting aspects of the pandemic is the continued rise of xenophobia and racism toward Asian American community members.
In response, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan have launched a Discrimination Helpline. Every Minnesotan can call the Discrimination Helpline at 1-833-454-0148 or complete and submit this online form. The helpline is staffed by investigators from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Translation/interpretation services are available.
If you are the victim of a crime, including a hate crime, or fear for your safety, call 911 immediately.
On Thursday, April 30, the ACLU-MN hosted Office Hours with Chief Programs Officer Benjamin Feist. He answered your questions about privacy, public health surveillance, government transparency, and more.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota and 34 other nonprofit and social justice organizations released a draft Executive Order Wednesday that we urge Gov. Walz to sign to stop the COVID-19 outbreak in prisons and jails.
On Thursday, April 23, the ACLU-MN hosted its first ever Office Hours, a new virtual event that allows viewers to drop in and get their most pressing questions answered by one of our staff experts.
When an emergency such as the COVID-19 outbreak occurs, the power of government may need to be brought to bear in more intrusive and unilateral ways than is reasonable during nonemergency times. Yet we must remain watchful that the balance does not shift too far.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota filed a petition against the state Department of Corrections Wednesday to keep prisoners and staff at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Moose Lake (MCF-Moose Lake) safe from the rapidly spreading COVID-19.
Debemos proteger la salud pública y debemos proteger los derechos de todos. Estos objetivos están entrelazados. El espíritu de apoyar las libertades civiles se basa en creer en la igualdad, la equidad y los derechos para todos.