A black poster with a large yellow headline that reads “KNOW YOUR PROTEST RIGHTS” and six numbered points in white text. The bottom left has a small “KNOW YOUR RIGHTS” graphic, and the bottom right has a red “ACLU” logo.

KNOW YOUR PROTEST RIGHTS

1. You don’t need a permit to protest in response to breaking news and you don’t need a permit to march in the streets or along sidewalks, as long as you’re not obstructing traffic or access to buildings.

2. When you are lawfully present in any public space, you have the right to photograph anything in plain view, including federal buildings and the police.

3. If you believe your rights have been violated, when you can, write down everything you remember, get contact information for witnesses, and take photographs of any injuries.

4. If you get stopped by the police, ask if you’re free to go. If they say yes, calmly walk away.

5. If you get arrested, you have a right to ask why. Otherwise, say you wish to remain silent and ask for a lawyer immediately. Don’t sign, say or agree to anything without a lawyer present.

6. If you get stopped by a member of the military or any law enforcement officer at a protest, you have the right to remain silent or to tell them that you’ll only answer questions in the presence of an attorney — no matter your citizenship or immigration status.

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[–] 44 points 9 months ago* (1 child)
  • [–] 33 points 9 months ago (6 children)

    Absolutely, good write up. Unfortunately, ICE seems to sometimes not care about any of that.

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  • [–] 4 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (3 children)

    There calling it “being detained” for a reason.

    You are legally speaking not arrested and also not free to go. Its a legal grey area part of civil and not criminal law.

    They don’t need you to be suspect of crime and you can be held indefinitely.

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  • [–] 15 points 9 months ago

    People pretending the US is still a country of laws. Cute, but depressing too.

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  • [–] 14 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

    If you want an organized response the below can be helpful.

    How to organize a rapid response from a very high level with further detailed resources. https://southerncoalition.org/resources/rapid-response-101/

    Good general advice on organizing, also a good resource to find groups near you that are likely aligned. https://www.fiftyfifty.one/organizer-resources

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  • [–] 11 points 9 months ago

    Do rights matter right now?

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  • [–] 7 points 9 months ago*

    : calmly walks away:

    : gets shot in the back of the head with a pepper ball:

    /S

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  • [–] 7 points 9 months ago

    Before you even get to say 'A', they've already pumped ten bullets into your back

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  • [–] 6 points 9 months ago

    YSK local laws may vary. For instance, we cannot use electronic noise amplification devices (megaphones, etc.) in my area due to local law.

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  • [–] 19 points 9 months ago

    That's great and all but THE LAW DOESN'T MATTER ANY MORE WAKE UP PEOPLE

    Our rights are being stripped away, we have officially transitioned away from a rule of law nation to rule by law. Its too late for peaceful protest and electoralism, now is the time for real action.

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  • [–] 4 points 9 months ago

    Yup. I have The Clash song stuck in my head now.

    https://www.theclash.com/discography/know-your-rights/

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  • [–] 6 points 9 months ago*

    You lost all those rights when "moderates" accepted that only American citizens have some human rights. Good luck proving your rights were infringed from a concentration camp in El Salvador.

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  • [–] 3 points 9 months ago

    Just don't do sovereign citizen bs.
    But don't forget don't talk to cops: https://youtu.be/d-7o9xYp7eE

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  • [–] 3 points 9 months ago

    I mean.. 'They' have to care about your rights first...

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  • [–] 2 points 9 months ago

    All of this falls apart when you realize they’re above the law and it doesn’t apply to them.

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  • [–] 1 point 9 months ago

    This needs like 500 asterisks; being a criminal defense attorney is a profession that takes many years to do well, and can't be summed up in a concise list.

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  • [–] 0 points 9 months ago

    Rights don't matter anymore in the Untied States

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  • [–] -3 points 9 months ago

    I don't recall what comedian did this joke, but... 'When you ask for a lawyer, make sure you ask for a good lawyer. The last thing you want, is for them to give you a bad one. So ask.'

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  • [+] -8 points 9 months ago (1 child)
  • [–] 1 point 9 months ago

    Depends on the cause.

    If you're protesting against anchovies on pizzas, sure, it might be a bad idea to block the roads.

    If you're protesting against unidentified terrorists abducting and killing your neighbors, then you should obstruct the roads to stop them from proceeding with their genocide.

    You won't be rewarded for being obedient. They'll come for you next whether or not you followed their law.

    But whatever..now we know why the Germans didn't stop the concentration camps in WW2 even if they knew about them: They had to go to work and didn't want to obstruct traffic.

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  • [+] -11 points 9 months ago (2 children)

    Do you need a permit to stalk and obstruct a law enforcement agency?

    How many of the above listed rights disappear when you're involved in a conspiracy to obstruct law enforcement?

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