White Allyship - What to do When Police Stop a Black or Brown Person

Police killed the highest number of people on record in 2023, but as a white, female-presenting person (with a significantly lower statistical rate of being killed by police), I view my responsibility in this work creates a duty to put my body between people of color and police, just as protestors did during Breonna Taylor protests in Louisville in 2020. 
The best way to prepare for any moment of tension between civilians and the police is to have a plan in advance, preparing yourself for what to do in the moment. This way you’re not both trying to make a strategically safe decision, while adrenaline pulses through you, and someone’s life may also be on the line.

1. Beforehand: 
   1. Know your rights! Attend a Pure Justice workshop, and make sure you know your rights within the specific jurisdiction you are in. In Houston, in a public space (or a private space with the property owner’s permission), you may (and should) film the police.  
2. In the moment: 
   1. Ensure to the person being stopped that you’re there to make sure they are okay. If you can, introduce yourself to them and ask them (if you can safely) if it is okay to film - but if things are already tense, just start filming the officer(s) in question. I prefer to have an auto/instant backup of my photos and videos to the Cloud in case police attempt to confiscate or otherwise mess with my right to record. I also immediately email any video or audio to myself or someone I trust.
   2. Remind the person of their rights: they do not need to consent to a search of their body or property without a warrant, remind them they do not have to answer questions (and can request a lawyer). 
   3. If they are under arrest, immediately inform or remind them to stay silent and request a lawyer (which they are afforded at no cost). 
   4. Do not make any sudden movements. Consider announcing your intentions like “I’m going to reach down to grab my ID for you,” before you make a movement to do so.
   5. Stay polite but direct, do not escalate, and always ask “Are we free to go?” 
3. Afterwards:
   1. Immediately write down every single thing you remember - from patrol car numbers, to badge numbers and/or names. Get your contact info to the person who was stopped.
   2. Hopefully they are not arrested, if so, make sure they get to their next location (car/house/coffeeshop, etc.) safely, and if you can offer them water or lend them an ear to start to process to, do so.

Written By: Beck Havens
​