.@neal_katyal beat me to the punch on something I was going to post earlier, but thought it would be too scary.
Last summer, when I was part of the org team on @Lights4Liberty, we were advised by some folks who'd been in Ferguson and elsewhere on some worst case scenario shit.
Last summer, when I was part of the org team on @Lights4Liberty, we were advised by some folks who'd been in Ferguson and elsewhere on some worst case scenario shit.
We knew already that immigration activists had been monitored, photographed, surveilled, and ARRESTED and DETAINED for speaking out against Trump's policies.
We consulted with some folks who shall remain nameless on how to handle that possibility were it to happen to us.
We consulted with some folks who shall remain nameless on how to handle that possibility were it to happen to us.
I'm sharing them here for all *loud Trump critics* who are average citizens without the direct access to the halls of power (read: non-ex-DOJ or Hill connected people) in the event that we all might need it.
1. Create an emergency contact list in the event that you are arrested, give it to three to four people, and tell them to PRINT IT OUT, not store it online.
Include parents, caregivers for your kids, lawyers, and any high-profile contacts you may have who could advocate for you.
Include parents, caregivers for your kids, lawyers, and any high-profile contacts you may have who could advocate for you.
2. If you're a parent, create an emergency plan for your kids in the event of your arrest.
Does the school know who to call if you don't show up one day? Have you given consent to release them to a caregiver, family member, co-parent if reqd? Have you tlkd w/ your kids about it?
Does the school know who to call if you don't show up one day? Have you given consent to release them to a caregiver, family member, co-parent if reqd? Have you tlkd w/ your kids about it?
3. Retain or at bare minimum build a relationship with an attorney who is prepared to fight for your release in the event of detention.
Make sure that person is at the top of your emergency contact list.
Also, the names of your Senators and Reps with phone numbers.
Make sure that person is at the top of your emergency contact list.
Also, the names of your Senators and Reps with phone numbers.
4. Educate yourself in de-escalation techniques with law enforcement in the event of your arrest, and understand your rights to an attorney AND TO REMAIN SILENT.
Be prepared for how you will respond if you face down arrest and/or a gun.
Be prepared for how you will respond if you face down arrest and/or a gun.
5. Do you have a will and a power of attorney in place?
Yes, this is morbid, but it's stupid to not do this right now. Seriously. Especially if you have kids.
Yes, this is morbid, but it's stupid to not do this right now. Seriously. Especially if you have kids.
6. Are you thoughtful about how you use social media and text messaging if you are an organizer of any kind?
Note: this is obvs not WhatsApp. I'm talking Signal, with auto-delete set up.
Note: this is obvs not WhatsApp. I'm talking Signal, with auto-delete set up.
7. If someone you love was forced to fight for your freedom, does that person have access to funds they would need to do that?
If not, what are your plans to raise bail if needed?
If not, what are your plans to raise bail if needed?
8. And lastly, who are the people who are going to be charged with starting the chain of phone calls to work on your behalf?
These should be people you trust with your life, who are prepared to have your best interests at the front of their minds in the worst case scenario ...
These should be people you trust with your life, who are prepared to have your best interests at the front of their minds in the worst case scenario ...
... who are also prepared to go to social media, mainstream media, the Hill or anyone else required to fight for your freedom.
These should be people who would go down fighting for your right to speak your mind and fight back against tyranny.
These should be people who would go down fighting for your right to speak your mind and fight back against tyranny.
That's it, folks.
Again, this is not to scare anyone.
But it is clear where we are going if Trump's acquitted.
And the best activists I know will tell you that continued resistance, with commonsense planning for the worst case scenario, is needed in these times.
/end thread
Again, this is not to scare anyone.
But it is clear where we are going if Trump's acquitted.
And the best activists I know will tell you that continued resistance, with commonsense planning for the worst case scenario, is needed in these times.
/end thread
