[Peace-discuss] Prospect 4 Peace police preachin'

[C. G. Estabrook]

Excellent work and eminently sensible advice, Ricky.  We should all take
these notes to heart -- indeed, re-read them before we go out Saturday.

Thanks, 
Carl (who regrets not being there last weekend but will this weekend)
 

On Thu, 11 Dec 2003, Ricky Baldwin wrote:

> Following up on last Saturday's incidents with police and sidewalk
> drivers:
> 
> I spoke with dispatch on Monday.  Officer Hawkins, who visited us at
> P4P Saturday, did not report or file anything on the jeep, license
> plate TRENDS 5, that drove up on the sidewalk while we were there.
> 
> I spoke with Lt Gallo today, who says the officer should have.  "Just
> because no one was hit doesn't mean it isn't serious," he said.  I'll
> be stopping by the department to fill out something before the end of
> teh week.
> 
> Also, Lt Gallo says Officer Hawkins should have been aware of our
> right to give out leaflets and the rules we agreed to follow.  (We can
> walk on the street on the right side of the first lane of traffic,
> while it is stopped, but not between the cars, not into the left lane,
> and nowhere near the median.)  He seemed concerned about the officer's
> hostility, says he will talk to him and said I could fill out a
> complaint against Hawkins if I wanted.  I don't think it's necessary,
> myself.  Dave may feel differently, and of course could fill out his
> own complaint.
> 
> Lt Gallo will also send out the memo on our leafleting activities
> again, as it has been some time.
> 
> Lt Gallo also says that space a couple of feet from the walk, where we
> had parked our yard signs for the duration of the protest, are NOT
> private property, no matter what our friends at Tires Plus say.  
> Technically, we can't put signs up there or along any public roadway,
> but he says as long as we take them with us when we go, he sees no
> significant difference between holding a sign and sticking it in the
> ground.
> 
> I'm open to other suggestions, but for my part I'm satisfied with Lt
> Gallo's response.  The lessons of our experiences with the police, in
> my opinion, go something like this:
> 
> 1. Things happen when you least expect them.  Every unfortunate
> incident so far has occurred when we, one way or another, let down our
> guard.  We don't need to be tense, just alert.  We have rights, but
> they don't just happen.
> 
> 2. Always have a video camera at a public event like this.  Sidewalk
> drivers and angry cops alike need to see themselves on TV, but more
> importantly we need to document our own behavior in case we're accused
> of breaking the law, resisting arrest or "defying the laws of
> physics."
> 
> 3. Collect license plate numbers, make or model of cars, and badge
> numbers when things go wrong.  Try to get a look at the driver of any
> offending vehicle, not just the passengers who are closer to us and
> easier to spot.  It's sometimes hard to focus on this, but it's
> important.  And write the info down or tell someone right away.  
> Memory fades fast.
> 
> 4. Never assume the cops know the law or even their own department's
> agreements.  Control is the major part of their training, for good or
> for ill.  They are not lawyers.  Many of them don't like to listen,
> either, though some will.  We can disagree about whether the cops are
> a good institution with flaws, a necessary evil, an occupation force,
> or something else, but we must be wary of them at public events.  
> Some suggestions, if I may:
> 
> a. Unless you are planning to get arrested for a specific purpose --
> and I do mean planning, as in BEFORE you get pissed -- it's best to
> try to de-escalate the situation and not crowd the cops or antagonize
> them.  Save your temper for the bar afterwards when you tell the
> story, or when you fill out your complaint if necessary.  It's okay to
> ask questions, even if they don't like it, and to explain your rights
> to them -- in fact, I think you should, and you'll feel better if you
> do -- but don't expect them to listen.
> 
> b. Keep your hands open, palms showing and in sight as a sign that you
> intend no violence.  Don't give them any excuses.  Remember why we are
> out there.
> 
> c. Keep your voice calm.  Make sure it's calm.  Then calm it down some
> more.  What you are saying is challenging enough, and it's what gives
> you the moral high ground.  Don't forget: we are out there to stand
> for rational, compassionate discussion even in the face of brute
> force.
> 
> c. NEVER touch a cop or anyone you are arguing with AT ALL.  Don't
> even point or gesture toward them if they are close, unless you want
> to provoke violence or arrest.  Remember why we are out there.
> 
> d. It also helps to mention Lt Gallo's name :-)
> 
> OK, enuf preaching from me.  I thought I'd better report before this
> Saturday's events, but I also think we always need to draw lessons
> from these things.  So there's my two cents.
> 
> ________