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i hope it doesn’t come to cops showing up at peoples homes and such, but if for some reason during this time you have police officers knock on your door, PLEASE do this before opening it (especially if you’re a person of color):
1) ask THROUGH the door what police department they are from. then ask for their name and badge number.
(legally, you are not obligated to respond to police at your door, but they may not leave if they know you’re home)
(legally, you are not obligated to respond to police at your door, but they may not leave if they know you’re home)
2) call that police department and give them the badge number. they’ll tell you if these are in fact actual police from their precinct.
3) if it IS in fact legitimate police and not impostors, you have rights that cannot be infringed upon which i’ll cover in the next tweet.
4) again, you have NO obligation to speak to the police in this circumstance, even if you’ve verified now that they are in fact police. like i said before though, theyre persistant, especially if they can see you’re home.
source below: http://hg.org"> http://hg.org
source below: http://hg.org"> http://hg.org
5)you have the right to ask what they are there for. if they respond that they would like to enter your home, ask if they have a warrant.
6) now it is important for you to know they CANNOT enter your home without a search warrant. if they don’t have a warrant, they need your PERMISSION. do NOT give it. i’m
sources below: http://flexyourrights.org"> http://flexyourrights.org
sources below: http://flexyourrights.org"> http://flexyourrights.org
7) if the police tell you you’re a suspect in a criminal investigation, REMAIN SILENT except to say “Officer, I can’t let you inside without a search warrant.” After this encounter, contact a lawyer IMMEDIATELY.
source below: http://flexyourrights.org"> http://flexyourrights.org
source below: http://flexyourrights.org"> http://flexyourrights.org
please stay safe and remember to avoid interaction if you can. this is only if they’re at your literal door.
it’s also important to note as well that even if you feel panicked, do NOT run. do NOT attempt to flee your home while they are outside, even through a back door. fleeing can be considered probable cause to arrest you. i was warned about this in law classes multiple times.
if for some reason they do enter your home forcefully and attempt to arrest you or search your home, rememeber you SHOULD NOT RESIST. stay passive, stay alive. if you are arrested, make sure to call the ACLU or a similar organization in your area.
also just a disclaimer that i don’t know everything, and this is all coming from what i know from being a criminal justice major and then backed up with sources i could find online. i urge anyone who has the time to educate themselves on case law regarding your rights for -
arrest, search and seizure, etc. even if they are violated, you should KNOW them so that when you are able to you can press charges/seek relief/seek justice.
overall, please stay safe, protect yourself and your family. know your rights. if you’re not poc like me, please stand up and help spread information that can help, go to protests, donate money. if you’re poc, stay safe. we love you. we stand with you. #BlackLivesMatter 
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