ACLU protests Ducey’s coronavirus prison policy with mock body bags

Apr 30, 2020, 4:25 AM

(Photo provided by ACLU of Arizona)

PHOENIX — As Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey was announcing the extension of his stay-at-home order on Wednesday, members of the ACLU of Arizona were outside protesting his refusal to send inmates home amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Members of the civil liberties organization gathered outside of the Arizona Commerce Authority Conference Center to show their frustration with Ducey’s policies by displaying fake body bags and holding up signs.

“People are starting to die in prison of COVID-19,” ACLU of Arizona Smart Justice Campaign Manager Ruben Lucio said in a press release on Wednesday.

“It is impossible to social distance in prison and inadequate health care has plagued these facilities for years.”

The ACLU of Arizona sent Ducey a letter on April 16 requesting he issue an executive order that allowing some incarcerated individuals to return home to their families.

The request stipulated that the organization wanted Ducey to release only those incarcerated individuals who are not a threat to public safety.

The letter also included requests for correctional facilities to administer more aggressive health and safety measures and also provide more information regarding inmates and the coronavirus.

Ducey has not responded to the letter.

“A prison sentence shouldn’t mean a death sentence,” Lucio added.

“Gov. Ducey can and should act now to prevent future deaths and bring people home who have loved ones worried for them and ready to care for them.”

A 79-year-old man with lung cancer became the second inmate in Arizona’s prisons to die from COVID-19, the Associated Press reported Tuesday. The first was a 64-year-old inmate who was being treated at a Tucson hospital.

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Guests drive their vehicles through the Phoenix Zoo Saturday, May 9, 2020, in Phoenix. The zoo has lost over $4 million since closing in March due to the COVID-19, coronavirus outbreak. In an effort to generate revenue to feed and care for the animals, the zoo began allowing people to drive through the park to view the animals from their own vehicles. The "Cruise the Zoo" is scheduled to run through May. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Democratic state Sen. Lela Alston urges members to support a move to adjourn the legislative session during comments before a 24-6 vote that put the Senate into recess pending approval by the House at the state Capitol in Phoenix, Friday, May 8, 2020. The Senate is trying to force the House to agree to adjourn or limit action to a handful of coronavirus relief bills. (AP Photo/Bob Christie)

Republican state Sen. David Farnsworth urges members to reject a move to adjourn the legislative session as GOP Sen. Vince Leach looks on at the state Capitol in Phoenix, Friday, May 8, 2020. The Senate by a 24-6 vote approved a move to adjourn pending approval by the House. (AP Photo/Bob Christie)

Democratic state Sen. Jamescita Peshlakai wears a mask as she tells member how the coronavirus has devastated the Navajo Nation while urging members to approve a move to end the legislative session at the state Capitol in Phoenix, Friday, May 8, 2020. The Senate by a 24-6 vote approved a move to adjourn pending approval by the House. (AP Photo/Bob Christie)

Republican state Sen. David Livingston urges members to reject a move to adjourn the legislative session during comments before a 24-6 vote that put the Senate into recess pending approval by the at the state Capitol in Phoenix, Friday, May 8, 2020. The Senate is trying to force the House to agree to adjourn or limit action to a handful of coronavirus relief bills. (AP Photo/Bob Christie)

Josh Rosenbaum gets his hair cut by Yuri Isakov at Uptown Barbershop Friday, May 8, 2020, in Phoenix. Hair salons and barbershops across Arizona began reopening Friday after being closed for more than a month by order of the governor due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak. Clients will not be returning to the same businesses as most will be implementing social distancing measures like making people wait in their car. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Jeff Guebara gets his hair cut by Roman Naumenko at Uptown Barbershop Friday, May 8, 2020, in Phoenix. Hair salons and barbershops across Arizona began reopening Friday after being closed for more than a month by order of the governor due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak. Clients will not be returning to the same businesses as most will be implementing social distancing measures like making people wait in their car. (AP Photo/Matt York)

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Linda White stands in her driveway in her cap, gown and a face mask as she celebrates graduating with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education and special education from Grand Canyon University during the coronavirus outbreak, Friday, May 1, 2020, in Simi Valley, Calif. White would have gone to a graduation ceremony in Arizona if not for the stay-at-home restrictions due to the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Linda White poses with a sign made for her by while wearing her own as she celebrates graduating with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education and special education from Grand Canyon University during the coronavirus outbreak, Friday, May 1, 2020, in Simi Valley, Calif. White would have gone to a graduation ceremony in Arizona if not for the stay-at-home restrictions due to the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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JoAnn Zimpher hangs an open sign outside Trader J's Gift Shop Friday, May 1, 2020, in Wickenburg, Ariz. A few small businesses reopened in defiance of Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey's decision to extend a statewide stay-at-home order for another two weeks in. The Gov. extended the stay at home order in an effort to combat the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Matt York)

A Wickenburg police officer informs Victor Bedoian, owner of Bedoian's Bakery & Bistro, that he is violating the State's stay at home order by allowing guest dining at his restaurant Friday, May 1, 2020, in Wickenburg, Ariz. A few small businesses reopened in defiance of Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey's decision to extend a statewide stay-at-home order for another two weeks in. The Gov. extended the stay at home order in an effort to combat the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Customers smile and cheer as Debbie Thompson, owner of the Horseshoe Cafe, informs them that she is violating the State's stay at home order by allowing guest dining at her restaurant Friday, May 1, 2020, in Wickenburg, Ariz. A few small businesses reopened in defiance of Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey's decision to extend a statewide stay-at-home order for another two weeks in. The Gov. extended the stay at home order in an effort to combat the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Matt York)

The Army Corps of Engineers along with other workers get the currently dormant St. Luke's Hospital ready for reopening for the possible surge of coronavirus patients Thursday, April 23, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Contract workers join the Army Corps of Engineers as they get the currently dormant St. Luke's Hospital ready for reopening for the possible surge of coronavirus patients Thursday, April 23, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Cars line up as they prepare for coronavirus testing at a site erected near the Arizona Veterans Memorial Arena at the Arizona State Fairgrounds on April 27, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

FILE - In this April 20, 2020 file photo, a new sign lets drive-thru customers know that the available menu at a local McDonalds is no longer complete due to the ongoing coronavirus restrictions in Phoenix. Most McDonald’s restaurants in the U.S. and China are now open for drive-thru and delivery, but global lockdown orders still took a bite out of the company’s first-quarter sales. McDonald’s said Thursday, April 30, its sales fell 6% to $4.71 billion in the January-March period. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

People wear masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus as they walk through the farmers market Saturday, April 25, 2020, in Gilbert, Ariz. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Matt York)

A customer gets a carry out lunch from Chase's Diner Thursday, April 23, 2020, in Chandler, Ariz. Owner Skip Chase has maintained all his employees and raised their hourly pay to compensate for lost tips since his business has gone to carry-out only in compliance with Arizona's COVID-19, Coronavirus mandates. Chase's has lost over $20,000 since closing their in-house seating area in March and Chase has spent over $9,000 in personal money to supplement his staff's payroll in an effort to remain open. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Carry out lunches are served up by head chef Andre James at Chase's Diner Thursday, April 23, 2020, in Chandler, Ariz. Owner Skip Chase has maintained all his employees and raised their hourly pay to compensate for lost tips since his business has gone to carry-out only in compliance with Arizona's COVID-19, Coronavirus mandates. Chase's has lost over $20,000 since closing their in-house seating area in March and Chase has spent over $9,000 in personal money to supplement his staff's payroll in an effort to remain open. (AP Photo/Matt York)

A runner passes a school closed sign Friday, April 24, 2020, in Phoenix. It took a decade for Arizona lawmakers to restore much of the school funding they cut in the wake of the Great Recession. Now, education leaders fear a looming recession created by the coronavirus could once again mean reductions in school funding. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Construction workers continue building at a large housing development as the building boom keeps going even through the coronavirus pandemic Tuesday, April 21, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey gives an update on the COVID-19 pandemic response during a press conference Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at the Arizona Commerce Authority in Phoenix. (Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic via AP, Pool)

In this April 20, 2020, photo, protesters rally at the state Capitol to 're-open' Arizona against the governor's stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Protesters rally at the state Capitol to 're-open' Arizona against the governor's stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus Monday, April 20, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

A Department of Public Safety police officer stands in front of the Arizona House of Representatives building as protesters rally at the state Capitol to 're-open' Arizona against the governor's stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus Monday, April 20, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

A protester, right, attending rally at the Capitol to 're-open' Arizona against the governor's stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus argues with a caregiver, left, about the protest Monday, April 20, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

A caregiver stands in front of the Arizona Capitol as protesters surround her at a rally to 're-open' Arizona against the governor's stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus Monday, April 20, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Some businesses have gone to great lengths to inform shoppers about social distancing due to the coronavirus, Safeway has signs along the sidewalk even prior to entering the store, shown here Sunday, April 19, 2020, in Laveen, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

A new sign lets drive-thru customers know that the available menu at a local McDonalds is no longer complete due to the ongoing coronavirus restrictions Monday, April 20, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Department of Public Safety police officers watch protesters rally at the state Capitol to 're-open' Arizona against the governor's stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus Monday, April 20, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Protesters rally at the Capitol to 're-open' Arizona against the governor's stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus Monday, April 20, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Protesters carrying weapons rally at the state Capitol to 're-open' Arizona against the governor's stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus Monday, April 20, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Protesters march at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix on April 20, 2020. (KTAR News Photo/Taylor Kinnerup)

The blur of car lights zip past the Arizona Capitol as the dome is illuminated in blue, along with other buildings and structures around the state as a symbol of support for Arizona's frontline medical workers and emergency responders battling the coronavirus Wednesday, April 15, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Phoenix Children's Hospital joins buildings and structures around the state will be lit blue as a symbol of support for Arizona's frontline medical workers and emergency responders battling the coronavirus, including statements of support in English and Spanish in the windows at the hospital Wednesday, April 15, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

An empty parking lot leads to a recently closed business Wednesday, April 15, 2020, in Phoenix. Evidence of the devastating impact of the coronavirus on the U.S. economy has been steadily emerging, and the evidence is ominous. Sales at retail stores and restaurants plunged in March by the most on records dating back almost 30 years. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Two passengers wearing face coverings wait for a flight at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, in Phoenix. The coronavirus outbreak has caused a significant decrease in air travel. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

An empty Southwest Airlines check-in area is shown at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Tuesday, April 14, 2020, in Phoenix. The coronavirus has caused a significant decrease in air travel. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Jose Gonzalez works on making face masks as the Ortho Mattress company which is repurposing their factory to make the masks due to the coronavirus pandemic Monday, April 6, 2020, in Phoenix. Ortho Mattress has a daily goal of making 1,000 of the masks supporting the demand in the community. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

A temporarily closed picnic area is covered with tape to prevent use Saturday, April 11, 2020, in Phoenix. Arizona's two most populous cities are imposing restrictions on use of their parks over the Easter weekend as they try to encourage social distancing to combat spread of the coronavirus. Officials say the Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend are traditionally very busy days for city parks as families gather to celebrate. Phoenix parks remain open for walking but facilities such as restrooms and parking lots will be closed over the weekend and picnicking and grilling will be prohibited.(AP Photo/Matt York)

A volunteer from Phoenix College places a St. Mary's Food Bank donated food box into the back of a vechicle in a drive thru set up at the Phoenix College campus due to the coronavirus Wednesday, April 8, 2020, in Phoenix,Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Some people wearing face masks wait in line to shop Saturday, April 4, 2020, in Tempe, Ariz. Honeywell announced that it is adding manufacturing capabilities in Phoenix to produce N95 face masks in support of the government's response to the novel coronavirus The company's Phoenix expansion will allow Honeywell to produce more than 20 million N95 disposable masks monthly to combat COVID-19 in the U.S. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Health care professionals prepare to screen people for the coronavirus (COVID-19) at a testing site erected in a parking lot at Mayo Clinic on April 02, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey issued a statewide stay-at-home order beginning on April 1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

A sign asking for customers to maintain "social distancing" due to the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) is displayed at the Lowe's Home and Garden center on April 2, 2020, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Gov. Doug Ducey issued a statewide stay-at-home order beginning on April 1. (Getty Images Photo/Christian Petersen)

A typically busy downtown Phoenix Wednesday, April 1, 2020 is mostly idle during the first full day of Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey's stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Gov. Ducey is urging Arizonans to be understanding and reasonable as people and businesses face April 1 due dates for bills such as mortgages, rent, utilities and internet service since the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak has slowed the economy. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Matt York)

An empty street is devoid of vehicular traffic and pedestrians due to the coronavirus Sunday, March 29, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

A sign indicating school closure due to the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) is displayed at Deer Valley High School on April 2, 2020, in Glendale, Arizona. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey issued a statewide stay-at-home order beginning on April 1. (Getty Images Photo/Christian Petersen)

Messages are posted on a community bulletin board in a Phoenix neighborhood, during the coronavirus outbreak Thursday, April 2, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(Facebook Photo/City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department)

Phoenix parks employees wrap playground equipment with bright yellow crime scene tape so it won't be used by children amid efforts to slow the Coronavirus pandemic in Phoenix Wednesday, April 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Anita Snow)

Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, R, hold a press conference to update Arizona's preparedness for COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak at the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory Wednesday, March 25, 2020 in Phoenix. (Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic via AP, Pool)

A sign is displayed in front of residences and at the front gate to Coyote Ranch, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in Yuma, Ariz., Sunday, March 29, 2020. (Randy Hoeft/The Yuma Sun via AP)

A pair of cyclists navigate an empty one-way street in downtown Phoenix Wednesday, April 1, 2020 during the first full day of Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey's stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Gov. Ducey is urging Arizonans to be understanding and reasonable as people and businesses face April 1 due dates for bills such as mortgages, rent, utilities and internet service since the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak has slowed the economy. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Members of an Arizona National Guard unit load up a Black Hawk helicopter to deliver medical supplies to the remote Navajo Nation town of Kayenta due to the coronavirus, Tuesday, March 31, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

A peace sign is wrapped with lights in a Phoenix neighborhood, where most residents of most homes have put up lights, bringing people together for hope during the coronavirus outbreak, Thursday, April 2, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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