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If you get arrested: Solidarity and other options
Audio from a San Francisco conference organized by the National Lawyers Guild called "Mobilizing for the Bush Years", on March 17. 40kbps MP3, 24 minutes. audio:
check1.mp3 MP3 at 7.1 MB Natalie Sperry (Midnight Special Law Collective), Kate Raphael (LAGAI), and Osha Neuman (Community Defense, Inc.) discuss what to do if you get arrested during a demonstration or direct action, including solidarity and other options.
Kate mentions that the jail solidarity tactic of getting naked is *not* usually a good idea. The panelists agree that even if solidarity helps you meet your demands for fairness or a drink of water, it is not likely to get you out of jail sooner or with a lesser charge. Jail solidarity should be a general strategy, not a rigid set of tactics followed at all demonstrations. Osha puts jail solidarity in the context of 20th century resistance movements. |
I just wanted to clarify that while the panelists agreed that practicing "jail solidarity" isn't going to get activists out of jail more quickly, it can have a dramatic effect on the charges faced by misdemeanor arrestees, and even some bogus felony charges. Successful plea bargains were achieved using jail solidarity at the A16 demos in DC and the DNC in LA. This strategy has worked at other demonstrations in the past as well.
If you are interested in finding out more information about solidarity tactics, or would like a training on how to implement these strategies (or general "Know Your Rights" material), please do not hesitate to contact us!
Midnight Special hopes to see you in the streets to oppose the FTAA! We will have folks from our collective in Quebec City, and on the southern and northern borders in San Diego and New York.
Solidarity,
Natalie Sperry
Midnight Special Law Collective