How to Protest With L.A. Activists Kaufman and Charlene Carruthers
What are our rights when it comes to protest? How can we protest safely and effectively during this pandemic? We are answering these questions and more this week with the help of L.A. activists. Kaufman and Charlene Carruthers. Los Angeles is a mass event veteran with over 35 years of political activism. She has written two books on the topic, including her latest book, How to Read Protest: The Art of Organizing and Resisting . Charlene was a founding member and national director of the 100 Black Youth Project and is currently part of the Movement for Black Lives (M4BL). She is also the author of No Excuses: Black, Strange and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements .
We will also talk with Marianne Kayshian, Senior Attorney at Brooklyn Defender Services , about knowing our rights and how to defend ourselves legally in the event of an arrest.
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Highlights from this week’s series
From an interview with L.A. Kaufman
On the unique impact of the current Black Lives Matter protests right now:
I am amazed. You know, I have experienced many moments when people were moved in large numbers to suddenly take to the streets. This has happened many times in the history of our country. But the fact that this is happening now when we go out is such a risky act, gives it additional strength and, I think, reflects the extreme circumstances we are experiencing.
How to protect yourself and your fellow protestors at the rally:
I especially want to urge the people who come to these protests, who are either white or non-black of color, to be aware of the heightened risks that black protesters face in every protest and how you can help mitigate those risks with your bodies. On many occasions when protests escalate, people urge whites to come forward because we know they are part of the racist society we live in, that when there is a line of white people in front of the protest, the police use less tear gas and less often attack them. … So think about what’s going on. Be very attentive to what is happening around you, and think about how you can always act, not only in order to protect yourself, but also to protect those with whom you stand in solidarity.
From an interview with Marianne Kayshyan
On the importance of silence during arrest:
You have the right to remain silent, which everyone knows, but the moment you run into an officer, even lawyers tend to talk to the police … And I feel that we are not talking enough about social dynamics and power dynamics play a role in time of confrontation with the police. Therefore, it is very important that you refer to your right to remain silent … and say, “I don’t want to talk to you. I want to call a lawyer, and I want to have a lawyer with me if I’m going to talk to the police. ” It is important to repeat this to yourself before going to protest, because, as I said, many people [who] know their rights find themselves in this situation and end up speaking. And it’s important that you don’t. It is very important that you respect your right to remain silent.
On the extent to which knowing your rights will truly protect you:
We also know that knowing your rights is not a bulletproof vest. It won’t save your life. And in some cases, I have also seen people who correctly cite their rights, anger the police to the point that they then get physical injury or harassment, or any other number of things that can happen to them. So I just want to admit that knowing your rights is always a good idea. You know, this is a smart way to prepare for a protest. But there is only and is the extent to which the law can help. And the law is not the answer here. It is a tool in a toolbox that we need to use to protect ourselves, protect others, and ultimately reform the country in which we live. But this is certainly not a complete answer.
From an interview with Charlene Carruthers
On how to support the Black Life Movement beyond protests:
There are so many ways to support. People build self-help networks for first aid, food, cash, cash support, housing, medicine, all kinds of things, connecting people, sharing travel, supporting those things, organizing mutual help, local self-help networks. You can donate money to an organization. You can also donate any technical skills you have to the organization. And especially for white people, you can talk to other white people and organize them around anti-racism so that they are anti-racist and support the policies that are required at this particular moment and that actually protect our organizations and our demands.
On the importance of acquitting the police:
The truth is that every day in the United States, blacks, browns and indigenous people are extremely nervous about the police. Many of us live where we are being watched. We are being pursued. And honestly, too many blacks, browns and indigenous people have been killed by law enforcement in this country … And so we live under the thumb of an institution that has the power, money, or resources to actually [end] our lives. And we envision a world that has radically changed, in which the way we deal with conflict, violence and harm will radically change. And that means community-level safety solutions, the resources we need in our communities like quality public schools, healthcare and housing, and environmental justice. We do know that they have a huge impact on the amount of violence that can happen in any given area, and in fact create real security outside of the police force.
Any feedback or ideas for future episodes? Do you want to participate in the show? Leave us a voicemail at 347-687-8109 or send a voicemail to [email protected].
To learn more about participating in a protest, watch the video below: