BEWARE OF RACIAL PROFILING DURING HIP HOP WEEKEND--MEMORIAL DAY, MIAMI
Each year, up to 200,000 mostly black and Latino hip hop fans from across the country come to Miami Beach for Memorial Day Weekend.
And each year, there are complaints of racial profiling, and false arrests.
Last year tactial drug and gang units were seen searching and roughing up people without cause or arrest.
In 2006 there were 1100 arrests. 40% of them were thrown out before even going before a judge.
In 2004, along with the racial profiling, police in Miami admitted followed and surveilled rappers during the event.
This also the time that the New York city Police Rap Intelligence Unit was exposed (home of the notorious hip hop cops), when the Miami and Miami Beach poloce admitted that they got surveillance training and a picture and info book (the hip hop binder) of hip hop artists and label execs.
At that time I was invited down by Luther Campbell of 2 Live Crew, the father of southern hip hop, to work on this problem and get fairness in the way the city treated him and his beach week events.
We are asking you to spread the word around these points:
If you are going to Miami (or wherever youi are):
1 Racial profiling is illegal. You have a right to be free of harassment because of your race, the style of your clothes or your ride, or the music you listen to.
Police cannot stop or arrest you for things they dont stop or arrest whites for at their events.
2. Know your rights. Be smart about what you do in the streets.
If police roll up on you, think carefully about your words and actions.
You have the right to remain silent-use it.
If they ask to search--say no. If they search anyway, keep saying I do not consent to a search, but dont touch them or resist.
3. Copwatch and Complain. If you see a problem, stick around and keep an eye out.
You have a right to watch police as long as you are far enough away that you couldnt step into the middle of their action. That includes pictures and videos.
So, keep that cell phone camera ready! And, you can call someone and tell them what you are seeing or let them hear it.
If you (or someone you know) get profiled dont just let it go. Many times police say theres no problem because they got no complaints.
Even if you dont complain to them, complain to us - www.aclu.org/profiling
or call toll-free at 877-634-5454
Stay safe and stay alert!!!
King Downing
Campaign Against Racial Profiling
ACLU
125 Broad Street
New York NY 10004
212-549-2558
[contributed by SE Anderson]
https://theblacklist.net/
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