More than a dozen individuals who have experienced what they believe to be negative police treatment discussed their specific incidents Sunday as part of a SpeakOut! presented by the Independent Police Review Project (IPRP). They gathered in part to recognize the day’s designation as International Police Brutality Day.
The IPRP, a citizen support group established in May to educate members of the community about their rights and advocate for those with complaints about misconduct by the EPD, recorded the SpeakOut!, on video and audio tapes to later present to the Eugene City Council. Participants mentioned claims of physical assault, badgering, harassment and discrimination infringed upon them by police officers.
According to Trish Binder, co-founder of the IPRP, an event such as a SpeakOut! provides proof to the City Council that police misconduct does occur and action is necessary.
“There is no review process for complaints,” she said. “Complaints are just given to the police who always deny they’ve done anything wrong.”
Carol Berg, volunteer of the IPRP and CopWatch, a police watchdog organization, said speak outs provide an environment where people can share their stories freely and learn about how to deal with the police.
“The point is to invite the public in a safe place to testify and relate what they experienced with the police,” she said. “…We want people to know their rights so they don’t get into unnecessary conflict or dangerous situations.”
Libris Solar, IPRP volunteer, spoke about police discrimination against people of different classes, races and appearances. He shared his own experience of being stopped by officers because someone had reported him as “looking different and suspicious.” Solar said that if people are approached by the police for these reasons, they need to find witnesses and also show the police they know their rights.
“Someone can call on you because they don’t like your hair or rings or clothing,” he said. “When I was stopped by the police, I went to a nearby phone booth and called 911 and said officers were detaining me for ludicrous reasons. I haven’t been stopped since …You can’t let them have control.”
Berg added that this SpeakOut! was held on campus to especially educate students about their rights and make them aware of the IPRP’s efforts. She said the group has had a number of calls from University students who are concerned specifically about the police party patrols.
Elizabeth Allen, a sophomore social science major at Lane Community College, said she attended the event because she believes students are specifically targeted by the EPD.
“I’ve seen bad mistreatment and it’s all directed at students,” she said. “I had a party with three people at my house. Almost 11 officers came in illegally with video cameras and cuffed me because I was a ‘threat.’ I asked them how I could be a threat when there were 11 of them with guns on their hips … I’m a 19-year-old girl.”
Hilary Berkman, director of the Office of Student Advocacy, an ASUO program also spoke about the student legal services offered by the University , where students can turn to if they’ve had experience with police misconduct.
Two videos that displayed police brutality and misconduct throughout time were also shown at the SpeakOut! These videos presented cases where police officers had been charged with inflicting pain and physical harm.
The IPRP also handed out “Know Your Rights” cards, produced by the American Civil Liberties Union. The cards presented a list of what people legally can and can’t do and displayed lesser known information such as not being required to show an officer identification.
“The police are supposed to uphold the law,” Berg said. “But it’s not their job to administer punishment. That’s the court’s job and people need to be aware of this.”