Experienced DUers: We need an arrest manual.

[EFerrari]

I don't want to scare anyone but it wouldn't hurt to know how to handle being arrested. If you go to demonstrations, if you cooperate with the independent press, you need to know how to handle an arrest.

A DUer in Washington state was just arrested for refusing to be complicit in a corrupt voting system. She did everything right. But, how many of us would know how to do that?

Who knows more than I do?

[Mairead]

1. Beth, the National Lawyers Guild puts out a number of rights pamphlets

in several languages http://www.nlg.org/resources/know_your_rights.htm

[EFerrari]

2. Thank you! Have you read them? Are they accessible

for most people?

[Mairead]

4. I think they are, yes. They're written in very straightforward language

Here are more that may be useful: http://www.nlg-la.org/righttoprotest.htm

[EFerrari]

6. Great. Thanks so much for your help.

None of us, I'm sure, ever want to be in this situation. But, it does no harm to be prepared, especially as things heat up.

[proud patriot]

15. I carry a Lawyers Guild pamphlet in my Constitution in my purse

I also have a card w/ Lawyers Guild phone numbers just in case.

[Boredtodeath]

3. First and foremost

The 4th Amendment
The right of the people to be secure in their person, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrant shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath and affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be siezed.

Notice to law enforcement officers
I do not consent to a search of my person, housee, papers, effects or motor vehicle. I retain my 4th Amendment rights and all other rights under the United States Constitutions.

That's a business card I carry with me at all times.

[EFerrari]

5. And that's a sound basis.

I think I'm asking, what if you're in your car? What if someone comes to your door?

In the most concrete way, what are the right steps to take to observe the law without relinquishing your rights?

What if you have a child with you? What if the arresting officer demands your possessions -- cell phone, pda, knapsack or briefcase.

I don't want to set this up as an "anti cop" situation because it's not. It's a "how to navigate policy" situation that cops are tasked with carrying out. My cops have been invaluable in helping me and Doug with our neighborhood homeless outreach. (Taraval Station :hi: )

I'm looking for, if the same guys who I work with on homelessness ever are tasked with arresting me, what do I do.

Do I have a number in my wallet to call, and a pre-arranged bail plan? How do I remember the people who handle me (because documentation is just not possible)? Do I plan with a few friends BEFORE we go to the demonstration?

Things like that.

[TreasonousBastard]

7. The NLG stuff is good-- read it, and...

big demonstrations usually have a bunch of NLG lawyers in orange hats available on the street.

The simple fact is that you probably won't get in any kind of trouble at a demonstration. Things happen, but it's usually not hard to scoot away from trouble if you see it coming.

If you're really, really worried, find your own lawyer to call and make prior arrangements for where the bail money is coming from. If you've got a kid along, make sure there's a family member available to pick up the kid. It's not good to bring small kids to demonstrations anyway because it's the sort of thing it's not good to bring small kids to. Hours of marching around and listening to speeches is not what kids do.

Why would you take a laptop or any valuables to a demonstration? Cameras, yeah, but you take nothing to the demonstration that is unnecessary. Besides any legal or criminal stuff-- why lug more weight around? And, there's a bigger risk it could simply be stolen, lost or broken.

[EFerrari]

13. Good points about demonstrations.

I was trying to think of situations where one would be in some way, more vulnerable than usual -- i.e., when in charge of a child, hands fulls, that sort of thing.

[hunter]

17. My kids have been to demonstrations.

My mom and dad brought me to demonstrations.

My mom's parents brought her to demonstrations, and I think that sort of thing goes way, way back in my mom's family. They came to America because they were hated in Europe.

I like to think I have some intuition about what is dangerous, and what isn't. I did some things as a young single man that I would never do with my family. But twenty five years ago running away was always a good option for me.

Always be very polite to law enforcement, but the most important thing is to never be alone. There must always be someone on the outside who knows what trouble you may have got yourself into.

[EFerrari]

18. I used to go to demonstrations with my mom. And once,

my union went on strike. Mom came over with my little brother to picket. My brother loved the signs and the chants. His file started when he was 6. :)

[Mairead]

8. More on organising for demo action

http://www.nonviolencetraining.org/

[EFerrari]

14. Super.

:)

[G_j]

9. Starhawk's Activism Training Resources

good info here, geared towards Direct Action strategies, Jail Solidarity etc.

http://starhawk.org/activism/trainer-resources/trainer-resources.html

Starhawk's Activism Training Resources

Includes:

Jail, etc.
Organizing in Jail
Jail Support

Solidarity and Jail
Solidarity -- a Rough Guide

Surviving Jail
Coming Out of Jail Stronger (coming Out of Jail 2)
Trauma Overview

Safety in trainings--discussion
Sample Feedback Form for A16 trainees


198 Methods of Nonviolent Protest and Persuasion

Wallcharts used for Prague 2000/ mass action training

The above chart includes:

What Can Direct Action Do?
Nonviolent Direct Action
Used Against Us:
Responding to Violence
Jail Solidarity
Tools we used: (for Training for trainers)
Constructive Critique

[EFerrari]

10. This looks great. Thank you.

[Capn Sunshine]

11. Kick

This should be in the resources section as well, or dempedia.

[Brewman_Jax]

12. The ACLU has info on that.

under Police Practices.

[EFerrari]

16. And here is the link:

http://www.aclu.org/PolicePractices/PolicePracticesList.cfm?ContentStyle=16&c=25