Last week the Juvenile Justice Project was invited to work with student activists leading the school walkouts in response to gun violence. They wanted to spread knowledge to their peers on a range of issues relating to non-violence, sexual assault, voter registration, and more! We conducted a Know Your Rights Workshop with these organizers and gave them scripts to help prepare them for National Walkout Day.
Most of us, even us “woke” folks, have been well schooled on what we think our rights are when it comes to encounters with police officers. Cop dramas and movies have informed many of our beliefs about the way police interact with the public, and often this has shaped the way we engage with law enforcement in real life either consciously or unconsciously.
To help clear up these misconceptions, our unique workshops use interactive theatre to educate young people about their rights and how to better communicate with law enforcement. Participants become the actors playing out real-life scenarios without the real-life consequences of an encounter law enforcement. We run these workshops for free and we’ll come to you. We love visiting schools, youth groups, clubs, etc. We are also always looking to train students on how to conduct these workshops and will happily train you.
We are currently in the process of setting up our Summer Know Your Rights Workshops. We will be at community centers, summer camps, church groups, and more. Contact Faith Pollan at faith@midsouthpeace.org or at the office at 901-725-4990 to schedule a workshop today!
In Solidarity,