April 1st Panel and Workshop Update

So, the panel on April 1st was really great and, it was filmed so anyone who wasn't able to come in person can watch the video! This blog is this group’s public facet, an open resource, that members should feel free to add to.

April 8th at Amherst College::::: Juan Carlos Ruiz, director of the New Sanctuary Movement, will be speaking. More info coming soon.

On the April 1st panel were professors Flavio Risech and Carleen Basler as well as William Cano of the Alliance to Develop Power. First I want to write up some things we learned from William’s “Know Your Rights” workshop. This was a succinct, informative workshop that we can offer again sometime soon. I have several resources that William passed out that are in English and Spanish that I could scan and make available. Here are some major points:

1. The right to remain silent. This one is major. Refuse to answer questions and do not lie.

2. The right to refuse entry to your home. Do not open the door. Ask the officer to slip the warrant under the door. The warrant needs to be signed by a judge and have your name on it if the officers are asking for you.

3. The right to know the charges against you. You must be charged with a crime within 48 hours of arrest. You should not be arrested without evidence of committing a crime.

4. The right to an attorney. Say “I need to speak to a lawyer.” This is a good time to pull out the “Know Your Rights” card that William passed out which says in English and Spanish that the card presenter is going to remain silent, not answer any questions, and require the presence of an attorney.

5. The right to a phone call.

6. The right to call your consulant. This is the only agency representing undocumented immigrants in this country and so this constitutes a second phone call that many are entitled to but may not know it.

7. The right to ask for a bond. Sometimes detainees are waiting for deportation when they could ask for a bond, pay it if they are able, and get out of prison.

8. The right to refuse to sign documents. Do not sign anything! Under pressure, you could be unintentionally signing your own pre-deportation paperwork!

Basically, it is ok to say your real name but DON’T SAY ANYTHING ELSE.

These are all rights that apply to individuals within the confines of the United States, regardless of documentation levels. These rights are crucially important for people to know, and it is also crucially important that we as a group, In Solidarity With Immigrants, find out how these rights get violated and we get organized!!!

The panel about detention centers, radicalization of Latinos in this country, politics of documentation and realities of the local situation (like how Springfield cops call ICE right away), really drew some connections for me. If you weren’t able to come, please check out the video of the panel.

Keep these conversations happening! And keep being curious, engaged, passionate people.

Yours,
jayme