Know Your Rights
Everyone (whether you are an American Citizen or not) has rights under the U.S. Constitution and civil rights laws.
It’s important to know what your rights are, how to exercise them, and what to do when your rights are violated.
Heading to a protest? Knowing your rights ahead of time - especially when it comes to interacting with law enforcement - can help keep you safe. Here’s what to know to protect yourself.
If you are stopped by police at a protest, you have the right to remain silent and decline to answer questions. You do not have to consent to a search of yourself or your belongings.
As long and you do not interfere with what officers are doing, you have the right to record events that are plainly visible in public spaces where you are legally present.
Officers may not confiscate your photographs or video without a warrant, nor may they view or delete data. Reminder the officer that according is your First Amendment right.
If your rights have been violated, capture badge numbers and get contact information from witnesses. You can file a written complaint with the appropriate agency.
For more information visit: ACLU/Protesters’ Rights
Protests and the Police
Regardless of your immigration status, you have constitutional protections, including the right to remain silent when questioned or arrested by immigration officers.
During any encounter with law enforcement, it’s important to do the following:
Remain calm
Don't run, argue, or resist
Don't encourage others to hide or escape
Don't lie or provide false documents
Know your rights
You have the right to remain silent
You don't have to answer questions about your citizenship or immigration history
You can ask if you are free to leave
If you have valid immigration papers, you can show them if requested
If ICE is at your door
Don't open the door unless you are shown a judicial search or arrest warrant
If you don't consent to entry, state "I do not consent to your entry"
If ICE stops you in public
You can ask the officers for a list of free lawyers
You can also reach out to your consulate for help finding legal representation
If you experience an ICE raid
You can report the raid to United We Dream's hotline at 1-844-363-1423
You can also text 877877
For more information visit:
ICE
As bystanders, we should stand up and intervene when we see disrespect, harassment, and hate. When we intervene, we can help reduce the trauma for the person who was harmed. We also help chip away at the culture of harassment, and replace it with one of humanity.
The 5Ds are different methods – Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, and Direct – that you can use to help someone who’s being harassed. Using these methods sends a message that harassment is not okay, and it shows people in your life that they have the power to make their community safer.
The 5Ds are designed to be safe and not to escalate situations. In fact, four of them are indirect methods of intervention. Anyone can use the 5D’s
Distract
Distraction is an indirect approach to de-escalate the situation. You distract attention away from the person causing harm to give the person experiencing harm time to move away. Its aim is simply to derail the incident of harassment by interrupting it. Here are some ways you can distract the person causing harm:
Pretend to be lost and ask for directions to a building. Ask for the time. Pretend you know the person being harassed. Talk to them about something random and take attention away from the harasser. ‘Accidentally’ spill your drink or drop something that creates a distracting commotion.
Delegate
Delegate is scanning the situation to assess risk and determine how to best intervene. Then, delegate tasks to others around you.
Look for a Delegate who is ready and willing to help. Often, a great choice is the person right next to you.
When you Delegate someone to help you, try to tell them as clearly as possible what you’re witnessing and how you’d like them to help.
Document
Document is making a record of what happens. It involves either recording or taking notes of the incident. Some tips for safely and responsibly documenting harassment include:
Assess the situation. Is anyone helping the person being harassed? If not, use another of the 5Ds.
Recording someone’s experience of harm without ensuring they’re already receiving help can just create further trauma for them. If someone else is already helping out: assess your own safety, and if you are safe, begin documenting.
ALWAYS ask the person who was harassed what they want to do with your recording and/or notes. NEVER post it online or use it without their permission.
Delay
Delay giving yourself time to think about how to respond. Sometimes we can’t act in the moment, but we can still make a difference for someone by checking in on them after the fact. Many types of harassment happen in passing or very quickly, and it’s not always possible we’ll have a chance to intervene in another way. After the incident is over, check in with the person who was harmed. This is essential because it shows the individual that they are valued. We don’t have to just ignore what happened and move on and can simply do these things:
Stick around and once it’s safe, let the impacted person know about options for reporting as well as supports and resources.
You can also ask if they need anything or offer to walk them to a safer place.
Direct
Direct is taking action and intervening in the situation to support the person/ Speak up about the harm. Be firm and clear. Use this one with caution. Direct intervention can be risky – the person harassing may redirect their abuse towards you, or may escalate the situation in another way. The first key to Direct intervention is to assess the situation before you decide to respond, by asking yourself the following questions:
Are you physically safe?
Is the person being harassed physically safe?
Does it seem unlikely that the situation will escalate?
Can you tell if the person being harassed wants someone to speak up?
If you can answer yes to all of these questions, you might choose to use the Direct response.
Another important point about Direct intervention is to keep it short and succinct. As tempting as it may be, avoid engaging in dialogue, debate, or an argument – since this is how situations can escalate. If the person harassing responds to your Direct intervention, focus your attention on assisting the person who was harmed, instead of engaging with the person doing the harm.
For more information visit: the Right to Be/5D’s