Below is an initial roundup of possible proactive steps and resources for diverse communities to preemptively protect themselves and their families. I hope we can constantly grow this as a community.
This is not legal advice (I am not a lawyer), just a collection of insights from the past week. If you have additions or corrections (important!), can you please share in comments?
ALSO, let's consider this a great start for our holiday and end-of-year donation lists!
☆★☆ U.S. Social Justice Resources ☆★☆
⇒ If you are a PERSON OF COLOR or a member of a targeted ETHNIC OR RELIGIOUS GROUP
Know your constitutional rights in a traffic stop or stop-and-frisk, as well as specific state laws
Know federal laws regarding hate crimes (bias motivation based on race, color, religion, or national origin)
Report housing discrimination
Report employment discrimination
Legal Assistance
⇒ If you are a WOMAN
Report employment discrimination, including for pregnancy
Report sexual harassment within 180 days (your state may be longer)
Report sexual assault to the local police, and know your rights and options
Report campus sexual assault to the campus and to local police and know your rights
Know updated federal hate crimes laws (passed under Pres. Obama, now includes gender)
Legal Assistance
⇒ If you are an UNDOCUMENTED STUDENT or IMMIGRANT
Submit DACA renewal app if within 180 days. Don't file an initial one.
Get a status screening to explore alternative forms of immigration relief
Know your constitutional rights if you encounter authorities
Legal assistance
⇒ If you are a TRANSGENDER individual
Ensure all ID correctly reflects your name and gender
File a Petition for a Name Change to secure a court order for your name change
Update historical documents that might be needed in the future (e.g., academic transcripts)
⇒ If you are an LGBTQ family
Review your marriage license with an attorney
If you are not your child's biological mother, consider formal adoption if you haven't done so already
⇒ For all LGBTQ Americans
Know updated federal hate crimes laws (passed under Pres. Obama, now includes sexuality)
Legal assistance
⇒ If you are DISABLED
Report housing discrimination
Report employment discrimination
Know updated federal hate crimes laws (passed under Pres. Obama, now includes disability)
Legal Assistance
⇒ For ALL AMERICANS
Record hate acts to assist with prosecutions (if you or someone else can safely record)
- ACLU Mobile Justice app (automatically uploads your recordings to ACLU servers, even if your phone is confiscated) — available in AZ, CA, CO, GA, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NJ, NM, NC, OK, OR, PA, VA, DC
- Livestream via Facebook, Twitter/Periscope (practice now before it is needed)
Report hate crimes officially: File a police report and indicate "bias motivation," file an FBI report, write all details and responding officer info
Report hate crimes to advocates and media:
Legal Assistance
#thisismyamerica #sharelove #reporthate #strongertogether