In the long-ago time when cell phones were becoming more ubiquitous, we were encouraged to put the letters ICE with the names of our contacts who should be called In Case of Emergency. Everyone knew if someone was in need of help and unconscious, the emergency contact number for the injured person could be found by looking alphabetically for ICE.
Those older phones could be accessed by any good Samaritan who knew how to turn on a phone. I probably still have those letters ahead of my husband’s name, even though my current phone can only be opened by someone with my code or using my biometrics — that is, my fingerprint or face.
Sandra Williams
In preparation to join one of the thousands of “No Kings Day” protests that will be launched around the country on Saturday, June 14, I listened in with thousands of others to a Zoom training where a spokesperson for the ACLU gave us a briefing on our rights and things to do to remain safe. Even though ICE agents aren’t expected at my hometown, we still needed to know our rights and how to stay safe. After all, the president is sending National Guard troops and other military personnel to states and cities that didn’t request them. It’s the first time since 1965 this has been done.
The first piece of advice was to enlist someone, who would not be at the protest, to be an emergency contact. I enlisted my husband.
Then the chilling part.
“Use a permanent marker to write your name and the name and number of your emergency contact somewhere on your body,” the ACLU trainer said. “Put your phone in airplane mode and turn off biometrics on your phone so it can only be accessed using a code.”
She also gave helpful pointers about bringing a poster, flag, water, snacks, sunscreen and ID.
We were told if officers approach us to remain calm, don’t physically resist, keep your hands visible and ask, “Am I free to leave?” before walking calmly away. I also learned that in my state (laws vary by state) I’m not required to give my name to law enforcement unless I’m stopped on suspicion of a crime or a traffic violation.
I have the right to remain silent. I have the right to refuse consent to being searched before being arrested. Also in my state, I have the right to take photos, video and record audio in a public place (whether or not it’s OK to record audio varies by state). I have the right to tell others what their rights are. I learned that my phone cannot be taken without a warrant, and I don’t have to open it for them.
“I’m 66 and I’m scared, but I’m going anyway.”
In the event this kind of confrontation takes place, we were advised to take the officer’s badge number, car and agency information, collect the names and contact information of witnesses, get photographic evidence and document the entire incident soon after it occurs, then file complaints in writing to the officer’s agency as well as tell the ACLU about the incident.
I’m 66 and I’m scared, but I’m going anyway.
I’m going because if ICE agents — who have a quota of arresting 3,000 people a day — can go into businesses, neighborhoods, courthouses to remove and hold Americans who look like undocumented immigrants without due process, a warrant or even suspicion of a specific crime then none of us are safe, even if we don’t look like a potential immigrant.
If that’s the norm, and we all stay silent as a police state is built around us, what’s to stop them from deporting, arresting or holding any of us for trumped-up reasons?
It could be a social media post against the current administration. Then where did free speech go? It could be gathering peacefully at a protest against the current administration. Then where did the freedom to peacefully assemble go? If our right to vote against the current administration triggers being pulled from our houses and work places, then where did our right to elect our leaders go?
Now is the time to stand up for our Constitutional rights, including the right to due process. We cannot let ICE raids and indiscriminate arrests, unfettered use of the military and police ice-out our voices and steal our freedoms. Freedom never comes in a police state.
My poster will say “Kindness Over Chaos” and reference 1 Corinthians 13:4. I will write my full name on the palm of my left hand and my husband’s name and phone number in the palm of my right hand.
Sandra “Sam” Williams lives in St. Augustine, Fla.