My sister, a pre-K teacher in Queens, NYC took her class to a puppet show on safety last week. Her four year old students knew that in case of a fire, they could turn to a firefighter, but when presented with a puppet of a police officer, all the students, responded to the question: “Can you talk to this person?” with a loud, firm “NO!”.

In Queens, NYC, which houses one of the largest and most diverse immigrant populations, children may not understand what SB1070 is or the distance between Roosevelt Ave. and Arizona but they don’t have to. With racial profiling rampant, police interactions rarely are positive. Vendors, a staple on the streets from Jackson Heights to Flushing, complain about how police ticket them relentlessly, even when they have the proper licenses.

That’s why I am glad to see the following event happen within walking distance from Casa Mala.

A training facilitated by Peoples’ Justice for Community Control and Police Accountability, a coalition of NYC-based grassroots organizations that have joined forces to win community control and police accountability. Visit www.peoplesjustice.org or email. info@peoplesjustice.org.

June 4, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
Make the Road 92-10 Roosevelt Ave. Queens, NY
For more information, call 917-805-0830 or email queenscopwatch@gmail.com

CONOZCA SUS DERECHOS…durante encuentros con la policia en su comunidad

Un entrenamiento por Justicia del Pueblo para Control Comunitario y Responsabilidad de la Policia, una coalición de organizaciones basada en Nueva York contra la brutalidad policial. Visite www.peoplesjustice.org o escriba info@peoplesjustice.org.

El viernes 4 de Junio 2010, 7:30 p.m.
Make the Road Queens 92-10 Avenida Roosevelt
Para mas informacion, llame al 917-805-0830 o escriba al queenscopwatch@gmail.com

———————————————————

4 Tips to Protect Yourself

• If you are stopped by the police what you say can and will be used
against you—don’t let them use your words as an excuse to arrest or
abuse you!
• If you are harassed by the police, write down the officer’s badge, car
number, name and/or other identifying information. Get medical
attention if you need it and take pictures of any injuries.
• You do not have to consent to a search of yourself, your car or your
house. Do NOT try to physically stop the police. Simply say you do not
consent to the search out loud.
• If you are arrested or taken to a police station you have the right to
remain silent. Ask for a lawyer and do not talk without a lawyer being
present. Don’t tell the police anything except for your name and address.
Don’t give any explanations, excuses or stories.

4 Consejos para Protegerse

• Si usted es detenido por la policía, lo que Ud. diga puede y será usado
en su contra—no les permita usar sus palabras como una excusa para
detenerle o abusarle!
• Si usted es acosado por la policía, anote el numero de placa oficial,
número de coche/auto patrulla, nombre de el oficial y/o otra información
de identificación. Busque atención médica si la necesita y saque
fotos de cualquier lesión, golpes o heridas.
• Ud. no tiene que consentir a un registro personal, de su auto o su casa.
NO trate de impedir un registro de manera física. Simplemente diga en
voz alta que Ud. no da su consentimiento a el registro.
• Si es arrestado y llevado a una estacion policíal, Ud. tiene el derecho a
permanecer en silencio. Pida un abogado y no hable en la ausencia de
un abogado. No le diga nada a la policía con la excepción de su nombre
y dirección. No dé ninguna explicación, excusas o historias.

I’ll be there with at least one of my kids so bring yours and they can all learn together.