“Know Your Rights” Campaign Begins on the Westside

The Westside Health Authority’s table had flyers promoting the “Know Your Rights” trainings and pamphlets with information about the resources that they provide.

Stephaney Harris is a program manager for the department of violence prevention services at UCAN, an organization responsible for community outreach in the 24th Ward, including recruitment of high school students. These students will participate in trainings to inform and engage the community about their rights, which Harris says gives them the opportunity to develop public speaking skills.. “A lot of times, youth listen to other youth,” she said.

Inflatable bouncer for children.

People beginning to pack up tables toward the end of the event,

A volunteer from the Living Word Christian Center Prison Ministry helped community members in picking out shirts.

Community members started gravitating towards the speakers.

Gerald Polanco is a staff attorney with First Defense Legal Aid who spoke about the free legal services that the agency provides, including legal representation and a 24-hour hotline.

Alderman Chris Taliaferro of the 29th Ward emphasized the importance of mental health and community participation. “It is so important to educate ourselves about the criminal justice system,” he said.

Janel Orinuela volunteers at different events in her community, including the table for face painting for children and adults “I love being around children,” said Orinuela. “Make them laugh, make them warm.”

Brochures, calendars, and flyers for placed on Alderman Mitts table for an upcoming rally.

Commissioner Lisa Morrison-Butler of the Department of Family and Support Services spoke about the importance of community members understanding their rights. “We are often over policed and under-resourced when it comes to understanding our rights and being able to navigate that mind field when engaging with the police,” she said.

Alderman Emma Mitts of the 37th Ward talked about the importance of the participation of youth in the community, as well as spreading the word around the community and educating the community about their rights. . “They are the ones who are able to translate that to other youth,” she said.

“THRE” is a gospel rapper from the southside of Chicago. He is a member of one of the nearby churches in the Austin neighborhood.

	By Ebony Ellis, Violence and Prevention Reporter, The Real Chi

First Defense Legal Aid is determined to de-escalate police-related violence and educate Westside community members about their rights when encountering police. The kickoff event for the 24 ward’s “Know Your Rights” campaign took place on Oct. 13 at the Austin Health Center.

These training programs are funded by the Chicago Community Justice Initiative and include partnerships with many organizations and agencies including WestSide Health Authority, UCAN, and Living Word Christian Center Prison Ministry. Some of the people in attendance were aldermen from the 29th and 37th Wards, the Commissioner of the Department of Family and Support Services, representatives from partnering agencies, and community members. There were also performances by gospel rappers “Thre” and Leland Philpot. The “Know Your Rights” campaign will also take place in the far southside and near southside.