25th Anniversary Resource Kit >> Actions >> Know Your Rights

25th Anniversary Kit >> Actions [doc][pdf] >> Know Your Rights [doc][pdf]

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Protests and demonstrations have created social and environmental change throughout history. From the Boston Tea Party to the Montgomery Bus Boycott to the Taco Bell boycott, non-violent direct action has played a crucial role in exposing injustices and winning important victories. These actions allow us to exercise our basic rights and participate more fully in the democratic process. Most importantly, nonviolent direct action is empowering because it works.

Most demonstrations encounter few problems with police. However, it is important to know your basic rights before you hit the streets. Knowledge is power, especially when dealing with the legal system. Laws vary in every country and even state by state, so make sure to look into your local laws. Although most forms of direct action are entirely legal, it is always important to know your rights! No matter what the action, you may end up encountering police or security guards. Keep your and your group members’ rights in mind and BE PREPARED!

We’re not lawyers or legal experts here at ICJB, but we’ve spent some time collecting some great resources from people who are experts and lawyers, including the Midnight Special Law Collective. The following is not meant to be legal advice, nor comprehensive, but should provide some things to think about prior to an action. Look over the information we’ve collected below, but don’t stop there! If you’re in the U.S. it’s a good idea to check with a National Lawyers Guild lawyer for your state’s specific laws.

Police/Security Liaison

Delegate one or two people (police liaisons) to communicate to the police and relay info from police to the crowd
- Others should send police to the liaison and only the liaison
This person is NOT the leader of the group. If a cop asks, there is no leader; everything was decided in consensus.
The Liaison should be VERY polite and respectful, “clean cut”, maybe even a bit older, if possible.
As soon as police/security arrive, the Police Liaison should go up and introduce herself as the liaison (make clear that you’re not the leader/person in charge)

Police Encounters

General rules for talking with police

Don’t make them nervous
Talk with hands out
Don’t touch them or make sudden movements
Remember that police are allowed to lie about certain things, but it is illegal to lie to them
Police don’t decide charges (prosecutors do)
Make sure to write down all the information about the police officers
Name, badge number, what took place; try to have a witness

Casual(ish) Conversation

Don’t talk to them if you’re not the police liaison, except to point them in the direction of the police liaison
Be very respectful if you do say something – however, you don’t have to say anything.
If they persist in questioning you, ask “Am I being detained?”
If not, then you are free to leave. If the action is finished, leave.

Detention

If they say “yes” to “Am I being detained?”, then you are in “detention”
They can only detain you with reasonable suspicion that you broke a law
You don’t have to say anything to them but your name and “I am going to remain silent, I want to see a lawyer” – repeat this loud and clear as many times as necessary.
You have to stay put, but it should only be a short time.
While detained, the police might search bags and pat you down. Say “I do not consent to this search” loudly and try to make sure a witness hears you say this.
The police can only go into pockets if they feel a weapon.

Arrest

The police can only arrest with probable cause that you committed a crime.
If arrested, they can search to skin (same gender) – Remember “I do not consent to this search.”
If you are arrested, they can search your car.

REMEMBER THESE CODE WORDS!

Code words 1: “Am I Being Detained?”
Code words 2: “I am going to remain silent, I want to see a lawyer”
Code words 3: “I do not consent to this search”

Security Guards

If they ask you to leave, then it is illegal for you to stay on that property, and you could be charged with trespassing (once police arrive).
You are free to leave anytime: don’t get stalled by them saying “YOU HAVE TO STAY HERE” or “YOU NEED TO COME TO OUR OFFICE”. You don’t have to do anything, unless they are police officers and have detained you.
They can place you under citizen’s arrest; however, you can lawfully resist an unlawful citizens arrest (unlike unlawful arrests by police officers).
Remember that these laws vary state-to-state and sometimes even between establishments – it would be a good thing to check into before you have an action inside of a private space, like a mall.

If would like more information on legal issues, there are many activist law collectives, including the Midnight Special Law Collective: http://www.midnightspecial.net/; The Just Cause Law Collective: http://www.lawcollective.org/; and the New York City People’s Law Collective: http://www.tao.ca/~nycplc/. Also, the American Civil Liberties Union has lawyers all over the country that work to protect our rights and freedoms. http://www.aclu.org. The National Lawyers Guild is also a good resource, www.nlg.org.

Next Page >>