Two people arrested during the protests in Asheville were questioned by the FBI while in custody. Both talked with jail support about it and shared that the agents were asking who the planners and leaders were, who was coordinating and funding. These sound like standard general questions, and are consistent with reports nationwide of FBI approaching people arrested in the uprisings in custody or door knocking after release. Unfortunately this is normal and to be expected. As we now know this has happened here, it’s a great time to review our best practices and share resources with new friends. The NLG will be asked to make support and education about FBI visits available to communities statewide who are protesting. Locally, we have lots of resources and experience to share.
Some things to do/keep doing:
– Generalize materials about law enforcement questioning and door knocks. Give special effort to share directly with people you’re working with and meeting through the protests in addition to posting on social media. Don’t assume everyone already knows something or feel embarrassed if you don’t know something.
-Efficient legal support helps keep people from being vulnerable to law enforcement in custody and means they already have a lawyer before a potential contact after release.
-Learn about what support is available so you can assure others they have support if they refuse to speak to police/FBI. Bolster legal support organizing and the people doing it to keep this high standard of legal support sustainable.
-Avoid the spread of rumors about FBI and confirm reports. Share confirmed info carefully, precisely and widely. Support yourself and others around the anxiety this brings up.
-Take a personal inventory of your practices and your resources.
