What to do if you’re stopped by the police [MiamiHerald.com]

Samantha Sangenito 7/22/1612:00 PM

When Lincoln High School government teacher Nathan Gibbs-Bowling teaches his Tacoma students about the Constitution, he adds a few lessons on survival skills.

He wants them to understand their rights under the constitution’s Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable search and seizure by police. But he also wants his students to know how those powerful words can play out in real life.

“I encourage them to assert their rights in an informed, responsible manner,” Gibbs-Bowling said. “What I try to teach kids is that, whenever they engage with police, they should maintain their cool. Keep calm. And end the engagement as soon as possible.”

[For more of this story, written by Debbie Cafazzo, go to: http://www.miamiherald.com/new...7.html#storylink=cpy]

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Robert OlcottMember

I wish we'd discussed [part of] William O. Douglas's U.S. Supreme Court opinion in Papachristou versus City of Jacksonville, during high school, where he noted: "... Night walking, strolling, loafing, and simply wandering about, are historically part of the amenities of American life, and as such, will be protected by the Constitution. ..."; along with one of the "Founding Father's" note about Rights becoming Duties by reciprocity: My Right is only as secure as my interest in guaranteeing that right to others, and hopefully, they to me.

Then again, adding a "trauma-Informed" perspective, and teaching young people to act maturely and responsibly when dealing with the police makes good sense as well.

7/22/1612:38 PM

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