Jun 5, 2020
With protests continuing in
cities all over the world, the Channel Zero Network has some
reminders on how to support those who have been
arrested, and those who may
be arrested in the coming days and weeks.
Arrests are
one tool cops use to repress mass movements. Arrest keeps
protesters off the streets during
demonstrations. They
scare people with the
threat of court
cases and potential
prison sentences. Alone,
we feel defenseless against the police and the
courts. By
providing jail and court support,
we can push back against
this repression, from the moment that our comrades
are taken
in, to the end of their
court case.
Before heading out into the
streets, make sure you and everyone you're with has
acontact
number written on their body. You'll need to get in touch with
someone if you're arrested and you most likely
won't have your
personal belongings with you. This
number can be the National Lawyer's Guild, a group you're
involved with, or just a friend
who's not at the protest.
If you
see someone getting arrested,
call your legal support number with
the arrestee's legal name and birthday. If
you are in a large city, you may have to determine where they will
be taken. Try to find the arresting officer's precinct or unit.
This may determine where your comrade ends up. In smaller cities,
everyone may go
to the same place.
If you expect more arrests,
try to stay and observe. If not, you should head to the precinct
to wait for
the arrestee.
Once at the precinct, use
the legal name and birthday of the arrestee to ask the cops for the
arrest number, charges, and where the arrestee will be taken or
held. Keep
anyone supporting you in the loop.
Be prepared to wait many
hours. Keep in touch with others and take turns waiting outside the
precinct. It could take hours, or in some cases, the
whole night,especially if there's been
a mass arrest.
From here, each city and
state has different processes and different jargon. Connect with
local organizers and read about local laws to learn what the
process will be in your area.
Here are some things that
you might encounter.
- Sometimes arrestees are released quickly
with a notice that they'll need to show up in court at a later
date. If this happens, take the contact info of arrestees. You'll
want to be ready to offer them court support in the
future.
- Sometimes arrestees are charged before
release. This is
a longer process usually called arraignment, which is a procedural
court hearing to file charges and set bail. The court will assign a
public defender for arraignments. Try to have a
couple offriends
attend the arraignment for support. Due to COVID
19, you may only be able to observe via video.
- Sometimes arrestees will have
to post bail to be released. If bail is set, let the court officer
know you’re arranging payment and will be coordinating with the
arrestee’s lawyer. If you need
support making bail connect with local organizers, there may be a
bail fund for protestors in your area.
- No matter
what happens, always relay what's happening to other people
offering support.
Regardless of the legal
situation the arrestee ends up in, you'll need to bring some things
with you.
- People who
are getting out may be exhausted
or have trouble getting home.
So bring
snacks, water, aspirin, bus fare
or transit cards,
and cigarettes. If you have a friend being held, you can bring
their favorite snacks! If you know the
arrestee requires a specific medication, bring that
too.
- You'll also
need water and snacks to sustain yourself! Bring External batteries
for charging phones as you may be waiting for many
hours.
- If you
can't stay and help with jail support, dropping off materials to
those waiting can be a big help.
Unfortunately, there is a
high risk of exposure to COVID-19 while in an enclosed jail
cell. Arrestees should consider
self-quarantining and getting tested.
For every street action and
for every viral video of arrests, there are dozens of people
outside the spotlight supporting the movement. Remember, it's not
over until everyone's safely gotten out
of prison and everyone's beaten their
charges.