Today’s Good News: Teens Learn Their Rights Vis-a-Vis Police
The fine New York newsletter City Limits describes a seminar at the Door, a youth center in downtown Manhattan, about your rights under the Constitution. City Limits says, “First offered over the summer, a seminar called “Surviving the Streets: Know Your Rights” has returned by popular demand from students who want to learn about the legal process and their place in it. Since these teenagers’ public schools are heavily patrolled by NYPD safety agents, it’s no surprise that such a course is finding a passionate audience.
Lawyers from the downtown firm Cahill Gordon & Reindel are trying to provide the knowledge. Peter Sloane, a partner at Cahill who has experience working with youth, introduced the concept at The Door, where his firm already was providing pro bono legal services.
There’s been some issues with the police activity in schools. On Nov. 23, an estimated 200 young people rallied at City Hall in support of the Student Safety Act, introduced into City Council in August, that would increase oversight of school safety agents. Udi Ofer, advocacy director at the New York Civil Liberties Union, says that under this regime, “What was once a trip to the principal’s office is now a trip downtown.” So these grassroots activities are an important part of protecting the rights of vulnerable youth.
Check out the whole story here.
Leave a Comment