STUDENT ORGANIZATION TEACHES STUDENTS INS AND OUTS OF CIVIL
RIGHTS

Sophomore Erin Taylor doesn't want to end up like her friend who was
pulled over by a police officer for a broken taillight and ended up
being charged with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. As
president of GW NORML, which advocates for the legalization of
marijuana, Taylor wants to know her rights.

On Nov. 19 NORML along with GW ACLU, which advocates for the
protection of citizens' rights, held an event to raise awareness
among students about their constitutional rights in police encounters.

"We wanted to show people their rights and how to use them," Taylor
said. "People shouldn't feel guilty about taking advantage of them."

Taylor also said it would be beneficial to stress the fact that there
is nothing wrong or suspicious about not consenting to searches. This
is simply an execution of a constitutional right.

Sophomore Aaron Seyedian, president of GW ACLU, said that it is
common for students to be unfamiliar with how to conduct themselves
when confronted by the police.

"Most college students don't really know how to handle run-ins with
law enforcement well," Seyedian said. "I've been with people before
who haven't."

At the information session, students watched "Busted: The Citizen's
Guide to Surviving Police Encounters," a video by Flex Your Rights,
a public education group. Steve Silverman, the organization's
founder, and John Katz, a GW alumnus and local defense
attorney, concluded the presentation by answering questions
and sharing their opinions.

Sophomore Scott Curley attended the event to see if he could learn
anything new, although he said he already had general knowledge of
his rights. One of the themes stressed during the session was even
people with a strong sense of their liberties can still waive their
rights unknowingly out of fear of being arrested.

"There are strategies cops use that people can fall into," Curley
said.

Curley cautioned that students must also recognize the chance they
take when engaging in activities that could result in a run-in with
the law.

"Students don't have to drink or do drugs," he said. "It's a choice
people make."

Although Curley has never been issued a ticket or been pulled over
before, he did recognize that there's always a chance he could have
to deal with law enforcement in the future. Seyedian similarly
acknowledged this possibility.

"I'm an average college student, and that student runs a risk of
getting in trouble," Seyedian said.

Participants said they felt that college students are no less
justified in asserting their constitutional privileges than other
citizens, but some rights are restricted on campus.

"Policies could be a little more favorable towards students,"
Seyedian said.

Taylor said she was grateful to walk away with the extra knowledge
that she gained at the session.

"I don't anticipate that I'll have to deal with the cops in the
future, but I feel ready if I do," Taylor said. "Things can often
happen at the most unexpected times."