Dissent & Democracy
The Civil Liberties Defense Center’s “Dissent & Democracy” program uses education to proactively challenge attacks on our civil liberties and rights. Our Know Your Rights (KYR) training is our most regular and widely held educational event with each workshop tailored to the needs of the participants. CLDC has substantially increased the diversity of trainings we provide including but not limited to; youth, parent, immigration, landlord-tenant, workers, arrest to sentencing, activist, and our trainers’ trainings. Additionally, under our “Effective Communities Campaign”, we paired with other activist groups to walk them through not only their first amendment rights, but also the rights of the entities they are protesting. Armed with knowledge, activists are able to make informed choices regarding their interactions with government agents or counter-protestors and, thus, better protect their rights.
In addition to the KYR workshops, the CLDC frequently gives Legal Observer, Grand Jury, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), police misconduct and Taser workshops and presentations. We also speak out regarding other federal or state laws or pending bills that restrict the constitutional rights and liberties of activists or at risk communities, such as the Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, the Real I.D. Act, the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, and many others. In addition to conducting public forums, media interviews, and editorials, we send out email action alerts to our members regarding pertinent timely threats to our liberties.
Know Your Rights
Our Know Your Rights (KYR) training is our most regular and widely held educational event. Each workshop is tailored to the needs of the particular group of participants. Below you can find a list of Know Your Rights resources and videos. If you are interested in us giving a training you can make a request here.
- Know Your Rights
- Know Your Rights for Activists
- Know Your Rights for Youth
- Know Your Rights for Unhoused
- Know Your Rights for Immigrant Communities
- Know Your Rights (Arabic)
Action Legal Resources: Legal Observer, Police Liaison, Copwatch & Jail Support Resources
The CLDC offers supplemental trainings to prepare individuals for specific roles or to fit complex situations that exceed the scope of our KYR trainings. We recognize the necessity for activist groups to be well-organized and prepared for potential legal issues and to be aware of the tools available to them. Thus, we also offer trainings and provide support for Police Liaisons, Jail Support Persons, Legal Observers, and Copwatchers, as well as for how to submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. We also have created resources for specific actions.
Laws that may affect your organizing
- Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA)
- Railroads, Ports, and Utilities Legal Primer
- SLAPP Suits
- RICO
- Guide to Using Corporate Logos
Police Misconduct (militarization of police, use of force, citizen complaints, tort claims, etc.)
- Two Years Later: the struggle against police killings of Black people continues
- Police Tactics for Violently Repressing Mass Movements (trigger warning)
- Springfield Police Engaged in Politically-Motivated Surveillance and Spying; CLDC Amends Lawsuit
- The Legacy of Police Massacres: Tulsa’s “Black Wall Street” and Philadelphia’s MOVE Organization
- CLDC Files Civil Rights Suit On Behalf of Black Unity Members Brutalized by Springfield Police
- CLDC Amends Civil Rights Suit After New Details About Police Misconduct Uncovered
- Victims of Eugene Police Violence Push City to Enact Meaningful Change
- CLDC Calls for Charges Leveled at Sexual Assault Survivor to be Dropped by Eugene Police
- CLDC Files Second Suit to Protect the Public from Police Violence
- CLDC Files Suit to Protect the Free Press from Police Violence
Grand Juries
A Brief History of the Green Scare
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)
Prisoner Support
- KING VERDICT: Imprisoned Anti-racist Activist Eric King Acquitted of New Charges
- Eric King Trial Begins March 14th: Courtroom Support and Decorum
- Judge Partially Grants CLDC Motion to Suppress Coerced Statement in Trial of Anti-Racist Political Prisoner, Eric King
- Drop the Charges: Resistance to State Repression of Racial Justice Uprising Continues
- A Dispatch from FCI Englewood’s Segregated Housing Unit
- International Day of Solidarity with Marius Mason & All Long-Term Anarchist Prisoners: Flowers for the Rebels Caged
- CLDC Files Civil Rights Suit On Behalf of Anti-Racist Political Prisoner Eric King
- Facebooking While Brown: Indigenous Man in Arizona Imprisoned for Social Media “Shock-Talk” about #BLM Protest
- Show Your Solidarity with Antifascist Prisoners this July 25th
- Release Marius Mason and All Political Prisoners!