Four things Canadian activists should practise saying aloud regularly, so that they flow in the moment:
1. I am not consenting to a search.
2. Am I free to go?
3. I would like to speak to a lawyer now.
4. I want to remain silent.
#ftp #acab #FTPFriday
(Porting important content over from that other place.)
2.
Police generally can’t search you or your belongings without a warrant – except:
- a pat-down search for safety, if they detain you;
- more fully if you are arrested;
- IF you consent to it.
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You do not have to consent, but if you interfere you could be charged.
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Police are allowed to talk to you, but you don’t have to talk to them (unless you're driving).
So DON’T.
Police generally need a reason to suspect you to detain you; racial profiling isn't enough.
Ask the reason - they must tell you. If they are not detaining you, walk away.
3.
If you are 12 - 17:
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You have right to talk to your parents or another adult BEFORE speaking to police.
You have the right to have a lawyer + your parents/adult with you during questioning.
They MUST notify your parents AND consider whether to release you with a warning.
4.
If you have a disability:
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You have the right to equal treatment, and to be free from discrimination, as protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code.
(That's the theory.)
Clearly request accommodation you need for your disability.
The reality
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If you are a person with an invisible disability, you should consider whether revealing your need for accommodation may lead to targeting or harassment.
Prescription medications are supposed to be provided to you as prescribed but, again, this is not always the case.
If you are detained or arrested, you have the right to speak to a lawyer of your choice, PRIVATELY, including a free lawyer (Duty Counsel).
They must tell you that you have that right.
If you ask to speak to a lawyer, police must hold off questioning.
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Again: Not when you are driving a car.
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(This, by the way, is basically the crash Know Your Rights I will give at the beginning of protests when requested.)
On the original twitter thread, there were some great addenda that I am going to include as a screenshot and a note that:
Under R v Singh, if you've spoken to a lawyer and asserted your right to silence, cops can keep trying to question you; the right to silence isn't to be confused with the right to be left alone.
Don't talk to cops means don't talk to them at all.
@Gigi Back in the old anti-globalization movement 20 years ago - and I realize I'm dating myself - we trained folks *never* to lie to police. It was far, far better to say nothing at all than to lie to the cops.
In fact "shut the fuck up" was our default policy. Don't tell the pigs anything at all; Just keep your mouth shut unless you were insisting on the right to a lawyer. Period.
@hungover_the
This is the way.
Assert your rights and STFU.
Todd Bertussy
Gigi 🍄🟫
The Hungover Pundit