Legal
The National Lawyers Guild is committed to assisting folks who have been detained by police while protesting. Their website contains a number of useful resources, in particular, the Know Your Rights guide.
Local Hotlines: Find your local chapter of the National Lawyers Guild and your local Legal Support Hotline.
Federal Defense Hotline: the NLG announced a Federal Defense Hotline. You can call 212-679-2811. Some local chapters also have their own Federal Defense Hotline. Find your local chapter for details.
Preparing for Arrest
Find your local chapter of the National Lawyers Guild before going to a protest or other action. Save their Legal Hotline and Jail Hotline numbers in your phone, write them on paper to keep with you, and write them on your arm with a permanent marker. The Jail Hotline is specifically for calls from inside.
Make sure you have trusted contacts that know your name and date of birth. If possible, have a comrade stay at home. Give them your name and date of birth so they can help check if you have been arrested. If you cannot do this, as a last resort, shout your name and date of birth while you are being arrested so other protestors can write it down and follow-up with organizers and the NLG.
Witnessing an Arrest
If you witness an arrest, try to get the arrestee’s name and date of birth. Then contact your local NLG chapter to let them know.
Reporting an Arrest
If you suspect your comrade has been arrested, do your best to try to confirm this. Then contact your local NLG chapter to let them know. Provide their full name and date of birth.
During and After Arrest
Do NOT give your smartphone passcode to the police.
Do NOT give police any information about the protest.
Refuse to give consent for a search of your devices and belongings.
Remain silent. Ask for a lawyer for any and all questions.
Contact the NLG.
NLG Bay Area
Guide: Bay area NLG activist support.
A flyer for printing or sharing on social media in the San Francisco Bay Area.
NLG San Francisco Bay Area