Albany, New York, July 10, 2023 – The Libertarian Party of New York (LPNY) strongly denounces the wastefulness and authoritarian overreach demonstrated by the government’s Excelsior Pass program. It is with great relief that we announce the discontinuation of the program, slated for July 28, 2023. However, irreparable damage has already been done, with a staggering $250 million squandered from taxpayers’ pockets. This immense financial burden, coupled with the erosion of personal liberties, underscores the government’s misplaced priorities and disregard for fiscal responsibility.
The Excelsior Pass system, with its discriminatory nature, effectively established a caste system within New York. It segregated individuals based on their vaccination status, pitting the vaccinated against the unvaccinated. This divisive approach contradicts the principles of inclusivity and unity that should be fundamental to our society.
The Excelsior Pass program also grossly violated the right to medical privacy, a fundamental tenet of personal freedom. New Yorkers were coerced into revealing their personal health information, compelling them to divulge sensitive medical details to gain access to certain businesses and services. Such infringement on individual privacy undermines the very essence of personal autonomy and the right to make informed decisions regarding one’s own health.
Throughout the existence of the Excelsior Pass system, libertarians and medical freedom activists voiced their opposition to this intrusive program. Despite freezing cold winter months in 2021, restaurants in New York City refused indoor dining to unvaccinated individuals, effectively punishing those who exercised their freedom of choice. Many businesses and individuals felt compelled to comply with the Excelsior Pass requirements out of fear of retribution by the government, facing the threat of closure or exclusion from essential services.
“Another example of failed security theater,” said Duane Whitmer, Libertarian Party of New York 1st Vice-Chair and Communications Director. “The average person should always question whenever any governmental entity wants to collect data or build lists of individuals. If you read the fine print, they openly admit they can share the data with other organizations, including law enforcement, without the consent of the individual. Knowing the political class of New York, it won’t be long until the next crisis comes along for the next database.”
The Libertarian Party of New York calls upon all liberty-minded individuals and concerned citizens to remain vigilant in safeguarding our constitutional rights and to resist any future encroachments on personal freedoms. We will continue to advocate for a government that respects the autonomy of its citizens and upholds the principles of individual liberty, limited government, and free markets.