ThoughtGallery.org > Should a Pandemic Pause Our Civil Liberties?

Should a Pandemic Pause Our Civil Liberties?

It is undeniably important that we contain the spread, flatten the curve, and keep as many people healthy as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. Does that mean making temporary sacrifices, or might the changes we make now affect our civil liberties well after this crisis has passed?

We all know that businesses have been ordered to shut and we have been told to stop all of our daily activities. There is so much more happening: Borders are closing. Draconian policies are proposed in prisons and detention centers. Our Justice Department is asking for permission to detain people indefinitely without trial.

In the US and elsewhere, governments and private companies alike are using drones and cell phone trackers to monitor citizens’ movements. And it seems like everyone is letting Zoom see into our homes and listen to our most private conversations, without necessarily knowing where that private data will go.

In this live video stream event, join host Angélique Roché as she talks with legal experts and others about who has the power to restrict our lives and encroach on our privacy, the precedents that exist for a roll back on our rights during emergencies, who is most affected by these law enforcement and security measures and what all of it means for us as a country going forward.

Guests include Faiza Patel, director of Liberty and National Security at The Brennan Center, Amol Sinha, wxecutive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, New Jersey, and more to be announced.











When: Thu., Apr. 16, 2020 at 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm
Where: The Greene Space
44 Charlton St.
646-829-4000
Price: Free
Buy tickets/get more info now
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It is undeniably important that we contain the spread, flatten the curve, and keep as many people healthy as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. Does that mean making temporary sacrifices, or might the changes we make now affect our civil liberties well after this crisis has passed?

We all know that businesses have been ordered to shut and we have been told to stop all of our daily activities. There is so much more happening: Borders are closing. Draconian policies are proposed in prisons and detention centers. Our Justice Department is asking for permission to detain people indefinitely without trial.

In the US and elsewhere, governments and private companies alike are using drones and cell phone trackers to monitor citizens’ movements. And it seems like everyone is letting Zoom see into our homes and listen to our most private conversations, without necessarily knowing where that private data will go.

In this live video stream event, join host Angélique Roché as she talks with legal experts and others about who has the power to restrict our lives and encroach on our privacy, the precedents that exist for a roll back on our rights during emergencies, who is most affected by these law enforcement and security measures and what all of it means for us as a country going forward.

Guests include Faiza Patel, director of Liberty and National Security at The Brennan Center, Amol Sinha, wxecutive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, New Jersey, and more to be announced.

Buy tickets/get more info now