Unique newsletter: September 2004.
HOW TO NOT GET ARRESTED
NYCLU.ORG

Everybody has the correct to interact in non violent protest task on public sidewalks, in public parks and on public streets in New York Town. This comprises the correct to distribute handbills or leaflets; the correct to carry press meetings, demonstrations and rallies; and the correct to march on public sidewalks and in public streets. The town can and does impose sure restrictions on those rights, and one will have to download a allow prior to attractive in sure actions. Since June of 2003, the New York Civil Liberties Union has been in ongoing negotiations with the New York Police Division referring to demonstrations right through the RNC. At press time for this factor, the NYPD has but to factor a unmarried allow for an indication right through the Republican conference, although some packages had been pending for over a 12 months (test nyclu.org for the newest information). The NYCLU continues to actively pursue negotiations with the NYPD and Parks Division to protected the rights of all demonstrators and to get police ready for the massive choice of electorate anticipated to workout their constitutional rights right through the conference.
You’ll have heard that the NYPD is making plans 1,000 arrests according to day right through the RNC, a determine in accordance with Long island District Lawyer Robert Morgenthau’s estimate for the Town Council. Sadly, there’s no ironclad make it possible for protesting throughout the confines of the regulation will stay you out of handcuffs, however the NYCLU can recommend some undying guidelines for staying secure and felony on the RNC.
IF YOU’RE ENGAGED BY THE POLICE:
- Be well mannered and respectful. Keep calm and in keep watch over of your phrases, frame language and feelings. Take into account, anything else you assert or do can be utilized towards you.
- Stay your fingers the place the police can see them. Don’t face up to by any means, even though you imagine you might be blameless. Don’t whinge at the scene or inform the police they’re improper or that you simply’re going to document a grievance.
- It’s now not a criminal offense to refuse to reply to questions, and you’ll be able to’t be arrested simply for refusing to spot your self in the street. Police would possibly prevent and detain you provided that they have got a cheap suspicion that you’ve got dedicated, are committing or are about to dedicate a criminal offense.
- Take into account officials’ badge and patrol-car numbers. Write down the whole lot you take into accout ASAP.
- If police have a cheap suspicion that you simply’re wearing a weapon, they will carry out a frisk and pat down your clothes. Don’t bodily face up to, however make it transparent that you simply don’t consent to any longer seek. If you’re verbally or bodily abused by way of a police officer, you’ll be able to document a grievance with the NYC Civilian Criticism Evaluation Board, (212) 639-9675.
- Ask in case you are beneath arrest. If you’re, you could have a proper to understand why. If now not, you might be loose to move.