ACLU of Maine Statement on Government Response to Fort Kent Nurse
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: 212-549-2666, media@aclu.org
The following statement can be attributed to Alison Beyea, executive director of the ACLU of Maine:
Kaci Hickox is a trained medical professional complying with medical guidelines, including those laid out in the New England Journal of Medicine. She shows no symptoms and is carefully monitoring her health. She poses neither a clear nor imminent threat to public safety. While there are situations where protecting public health would justify limits on civil liberties, this isn’t one of them.
In times like this, it is of utmost importance that the government remain transparent and even-handed and avoid overreaction. Extreme measures like mandatory quarantines and police intervention raise serious concerns about government overreach, not to mention frighten the public. This is a public health situation and our response should be guided by sound medical science, not by fear.
Stay Informed
Every month, you'll receive regular roundups of the most important civil rights and civil liberties developments. Remember: a well-informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.
By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy policy.
The Latest in Human Rights
ACLU's Vision
The American Civil Liberties Union is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America.
Learn More About Human Rights
The ACLU Human Rights Program (HRP) is dedicated to holding the United States accountable to international human rights laws and standards as well as the rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.