Planning to be out protesting at #LondonTransPride #BatleyandSpen or #FreeThePress today? Here’s our top legal tips to remember - we need you to learn your rights & share these key messages by retweeting! (THREAD)
1. NO COMMENT! You’re usually not required to answer police questions, so don’t. - Say ‘no comment’. This includes ‘friendly chats’, on the streets, in a police van & during interview. PLOs (officers in blue bibs) are trained intelligence gatherers - remember ‘NO COMMENT’
2. NO PERSONAL DETAILS! You DON’T legally have to give personal details when you’re being stopped & searched & you usually don’t need to give personal details to police anyway
Exceptions:
- If you’re arrested many people choose to give their name, address, & date of birth (no more than this) when they get to the custody desk at the police station (not before) as not giving this can delay release
- If you’re arrested many people choose to give their name, address, & date of birth (no more than this) when they get to the custody desk at the police station (not before) as not giving this can delay release
-If police want to give you a Fixed Penalty Notice and you don’t give your details, they’re likely to arrest you whether the fine is under the coronavirus legislation or not
3. UNDER WHAT POWER? Police often rely on protesters not knowing the law. If police tell you to do something make sure you challenge them to act lawfully by asking ‘AM I LEGALLY OBLIGED TO?’ & ‘UNDER WHAT POWER?’
4. NO DUTY SOLICITOR! If you’re arrested, never take the solicitor offered by the police- they may not know anything about protest & give bad advice. Instead we recommend asking for solicitors from our bustcard like HJA 0808 274 8226 or ITN 020 3909 8100
5. NO CAUTION! A caution is an admission of guilt for an offence without the police having to show evidence. Doesn’t sound like much but stays on your record & can impact employment. Best not to accept one, unless a trusted solicitor has specifically advised why you should do so
Legal Observers will be out - look out for them in numbered orange bibs & pick up a bustcard (pictured below) 
Got legal questions, witness an arrest/police violence or get arrested yourself? Make sure to call the Protest Support Line 07946 541 511 or XR Legal 07749 335 574 (write one of these numbers on the top of your arm under a sleeve)
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