Speaker 1: (Speaking Spanish) What do you need? Tomorrow I got to pay rent. It’s okay, I’ll figure it out. No, me and Jenny are fine. All right. Bye.
Speaker 2: Our characters represent stories we hear all the time. These are the experiences of SAS youth leaders, and LGBTQ youth of color. This video is part of our responsibilities to share what we know about our rights with our communities. This is the first step towards taking power back from discriminatory police systems.
Speaker 3: Okay? Okay.
Cop: What are you doing here? You shouldn’t be standing here! We’ve had complaints from the local residents. We know all about what you girls are doing around here.
Speaker 5: We’re meeting a friend.
Cop: If you do not leave in three seconds, I’m going to frisk you.
Speaker 5: We have the right to stand here. What is the problem, officer? Leave us alone.
Speaker 3: We’re not going nowhere. The fuck.
Cop: I know what you are. Up against the gate.
Speaker 3: Don’t touch me. I’m a transgender woman.
Cop: You know what, let me see what’s in that bag. Syringes, condoms. Loitering for the purposes of prostitution. I’m taking you in.
Speaker 5: This shit ain’t right.
Cop: Don’t fuckin’ touch that.
Speaker 3: SAS Facts. Did you know it is a violation of our constitutional rights for police to search us just to assign us a gender, or satisfy their curiosity about our bodies?
You can’t search me or remove my clothes to determine my gender.
Speaker 5: Did you know you have the right to refuse a search if cops don’t have a warrant or probable cause? Cops often trick us into giving consent by just having us to empty out our pockets. If you are being illegally searched, you have the right to say, “I do not consent to this search.”
I do not consent to this search.
Speaker 3: SAS Facts. Did you know, if you are 18 you can legally carry up to ten syringes with you? Did you know cops aren’t suppose to use condoms as evidence of prostitution, but they sometimes do? I have a right to carry condoms and syringes.
The epidemic of HIV and STIs has affected the lives of so many in our community, I use condoms to keep myself and others protected. This is my truth.
Speaker 5: I am a transgender, nonconforming person of color who is fighting for equality. This is my choice.
This is our truth.
Speaker 3: This is our truth.
Cop 2: Yo, what are you doing here again? I see you every night. It’s almost 8 o’clock, time to clear out.
Speaker 7: I still have another hour. Everybody’s out here. Everybody comes here to be themselves.
Cop 2: Yeah, I know what you kids do when you come here, to vandalize the pier, trick and disturb the tourists. Time to go.
Speaker 7: Why are you bothering me?
Cop 2: Why am I bothering you? I got a call and the suspect fits your description to a T.
Speaker 7: Why do I always fit the description?
Cop 2: That’s it. You give me sass, show me your ID. Come on.
All right. Let’s see here. Roberto. Roberto? M-F-C-M? What are you?
Speaker 7: Can I have my ID back?
Cop 2: Turn around. No. I’m taking you in. Hands behind your back.
4th Street, Christopher Street, JS requesting back up.
Speaker 7: Did you know that the NYPD has new rules that say that they must refer to us by our real names and pronouns, regardless if it matches our identification? My name is Ico, and I go by they and them. In New York, we have a municipal ID program, that’s a lot easier to get than other forms of identification, regardless of your emigration status.
Did you know if a police officer approaches you and starts asking you questions, you can ask, “Am I free to go?” If the officer says yes, walk away slowly keeping your hands where the officer can see them. If the officer says no, then you are being detained, and you should stay calm and in place.
Cop 2: Yo, what are you doing out here again?
Speaker 7: Am I free to go?
Did you know, you have the right to remain silent? You can say, “I am going to remain silent. I would like to speak to a lawyer.” And then you must stay silent.
I am going to remain silent.
I was on the pier because I didn’t have a place to live, rejected by my family at 14. I am 19 now. My body is alienated, always profiled solely on the basis of who I am. This is my truth.
Speaker 1: Really? Fine. Sorry, one second, hold on.
Oh, hey, what’s up?
Speaker 9: What’s up.
Speaker 1: (Inaudible)
Speaker 9: Word.
Speaker 1: Sorry about that.
Speaker 9: Hey, girl. Tell Jen I said thanks for the ounce.
Speaker 1: Oh, she said “happy birthday.”
Speaker 9: Oh, thanks.
Speaker 1: Sorry. Fine. What the fuck? Someone’s at the door!
Speaker 9: Then go fucking answer it!
Speaker 1: Ay, Jesus. Hold on one second.
Speaker 9: If it’s Michael, tell him he owe me $500.
Speaker 1: Yeah, can I help you?
Cop 3: We heard about domestic dispute.
Speaker 1: Um, no, nothing that I think…
Cop 3: We have a warrant. All right. We’re going in. Come on.
Speaker 1: (Spanish in Spanish)
Cop 3: Do you speak English?
Speaker 1: Yeah.
Cop 3: Are you legal?
Speaker 1: Excuse me?
Cop 3: Yo, check the house. Check the house.
Police! Open up!
Speaker 11: Oh my god. Get in the closet.
Cop 3: We’re walking in. Search the drawers.
Speaker 11: Anna, why would you do this? Why would you let them in?
Cop 3: Get up. Put on some clothes, man.
Cop 4: What’s this? Some money.
Cop 3: Some money, oh!
Cop 4: Condoms, and weed!
Speaker 11: That’s my—I can explain that!
Cop 3: Come on, come on. You’re going down, you’re going down to the precinct.
Speaker 11: Why?!
Cop 3: Stop moving!
Speaker 11: SAS Facts. Did you know if the cops come to your house or apartment, you don’t have to let them in unless they have a warrant signed by a judge? Ask them to slip it through the door, and check it.
Anna, why would you let them in?
If the warrant is home based, read it carefully and make sure it has been signed by a judge and is up to date, and it specifies exactly what the cops are looking for.
Cop 3: Search the drawers.
Speaker 11: If you view them going into an area that the warrant does not state, please speak up and says that you do not consent to this search.
Speaker 1: SAS Facts. If police push past you, do not resist. Keep your hands out of your pockets, stand to the side, and speak up. Say, “I do not consent to this search.” Otherwise, police can later on say that you let them in.
SAS Facts. Police are not allowed to ask you of your immigration status.
Cop 3: Do you speak English?
Speaker 1: Yeah.
Cop 3: Are you legal?
Speaker 1: Excuse me?
Speaker 11: I got kicked out of my home at an early age, and because I’m gender non-conforming, I wouldn’t get hired. I did what I had to do to survive, and this is my truth.
Speaker 1: My family brought me here when I was two years old. There was no pathway to citizenship. My father no longer works, so I do what I can to support my family. I am a lesbian. I am a dreamer. This is my truth.
