ALERT–BEWARE OF RACIAL PROFILING DURING HIP HOP WEEKEND

MEMORIAL DAY, MIAMI

Each year, up to 200,000 mostly black and Latino hip hop fans from across the country come to Miami Beach for Memorial Day Weekend. And each year, there are complaints of racial profiling, and false arrests.

Last year tactial drug and gang units were seen searching and roughing up people without cause or arrest. In 2006 there were 1100 arrests. 40% of them were thrown out before even going before a judge. In 2004, along with the racial profiling, police in Miami admitted that they followed and surveilled rappers during the event.

This was also the time that the New York city Police Rap Intelligence Unit was exposed (home of the notorious “hip hop cops”), when the Miami and Miami Beach police admitted that they got surveillance training and a picture and info book (“the hip hop binder”) of hip hop artists and label execs.

At that time I was invited down by Luther Campbell of 2 Live Crew, the father of southern hip hop, to work on this problem and get fairness in the way the city treated him and his beach week events. We are asking you to spread the word around these points: If you are going to Miami (or wherever you are):

1. Racial profiling is illegal. You have a right to be free of harassment because of your race, the style of your clothes or your ride, or the music you listen to.

Police cannot stop or arrest you for things they don’t stop or arrest whites for at their events.

2. Know your rights. Be smart about what you do in the streets. If police roll up on you, think carefully about your words and actions. You have the right to remain silent-use it. If they ask to search–say “no.” If they search anyway, keep saying “I do not consent to a search,” but don’t touch them or resist.

3. Copwatch and Complain. If you see a problem, stick around and keep an eye out.

You have a right to watch police as long as you are far enough away that you couldn’t step into the middle of their action. That includes pictures and videos. So, keep that cell phone camera ready! And, you can call someone and tell them that you are seeing or let them hear it.

If you (or someone you know) get profiled don’t just let it go. Many times police say there’s no problem because they got no complaints. Even if you don’t complain to them, complain to us – www.aclu.org/profiling or call toll-free at 877-634-5454. Stay safe and stay alert!!!

King Downing
Campaign Against Racial Profiling
ACLU
125 Broad Street
New York NY 10004
212-549-2558