Dear Community,
The TGIJP family holds solidarity with Ira X Armstrong and our trans family involved in the incident on Friday June 28, 2019 and on Sunday June 30, 2019. We are outraged to hear that our community members were harassed, physically attacked, and arrested by SFPD during Pride weekend. Though not shocking, it is distressing to hear of this in a time where our community is supposed to be celebrated. Due to the long history of police brutality, specifically against trans women of color, we know that we cannot rely on cops to protect us. We must protect each other. We must show up for Ira and our folks the way they did for our community. It is a California right to cop watch, and Ira is a trained cop watcher. Cop watching empowers our community and can reduce violence and harm by police that often occurs when no one is there to witness. Ira was arrested on Friday while exercising their right as a California resident to cop-watch. We continue to uphold that no cops should be at Pride or in our communities. This incident showcases the systemic racism and gender bias performed by the Prison Industrial Complex in this country. The attack on Black trans, gender variant, and intersex bodies by that very system will continue and no one can protect us but ourselves. We must work diligently towards community safety and accountability. Like Ira, it is important to document abuses by police. Furthermore, we can connect folks to resources, healing tools, and legal referrals. Ira has a scheduled court date on July 22, 2019. We will post updates on future court dates and encourage you to come support. Know your rights -- Guide to Cop Watching YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THIS! •to be in a public place and to observe police activity. •Stop and watch •Write down officers’ names, badge numbers, and car numbers. (PC sec. 830.10). •Write down the time, date, and place of the incident and all details as soon as possible. •Ask if the person is being arrested, and if so, on what charge. •Get witnesses’ names and contact info. •Try to get the arrestee’s name, but only if they already gave it to the police. •Document any injuries as soon as possible. Photograph them and have a medical report describing details of the injuries. TIPS FOR TRANS FOLKS DEALING WITH COPS
If the answer is “no,” you are free to go. Cops have a right to detain you for a short period of time if they have reasonable suspicion that you have or are about to commit a crime; If the answer is “yes,” and you are under arrest, you have a right to know why.
Police may still search your possessions or your person even if you said you do not consent and there is no warrant. If this happens, try your best
The TGIJP office is open 10am to 6pm and if you are arrested between those hours call: 415. 554. 8491 If someone has been arrested and you would like to know which precinct they are being held, call this 24hr line: 415.553.1430 Cop Watch Pocket Guide -- https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/9faa72_2bbb6a9719c2426eadc40593aeca2984.pdf APTP Guide -- http://justiceteams.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/APTP_view_single.pdf In-depth San Francisco Know Your Right For Law Enforcement Encounter -- https://nlgsf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/KYRpamphletSF.pdf Know Your Rights for the Trans Community -- https://nlgsf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Trans-KYR-Criminal-2014.pdf
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