The ‘youth ambassadors’ initiative that emerged in New York as one of the ways to interrupt violence, but also to make communities aware of laws that affect them, continues to expand in The Bronx.
It is a program that reaches adolescents and young people, to educate them on how to avoid being part of gangs and database. In addition, it includes valuable information about their rights, when for any reason they must interact with the police.
This plan is the product of an integration between the Legal Aid Society, Guns Down and Life Up (GDLU) and consists of a series of workshops aimed at training young people to become multipliers in their communities about their rights, but also strategies so that they stay away from criminal groups or enter unfairly based on data from these groups
“We are proud to bring this ‘Know Your Rights’ series to The Bronx, where it is critical to raise awareness and expand educational efforts to empower young people to stand up for their rights when faced with potentially harmful and unethical police tactics,” said Anthony. Posada, supervising attorney in Legal Aid’s Community Justice Unit.
In the other workshop “Law Enforcement Gang Database”, participants will learn about gang databases, social media surveillance techniques, as well as the impact on Black and Latino communities.
In another section of this educational program called “Youth Organizing,” participants will learn about grassroots organizing techniques and the history of how African Americans and Latinos have been integrated into community work since the 1960s.
“Gang Labeling”
In general, this workshop series, which has been held at other locations, teaches participants about New York City Police Department (NYPD) gang raid tactics and what the groups call “gang tagging.” .
They will also learn how to handle encounters with the police safely and how to prevent their rights as New Yorkers from being violated.
Upon completion, the student can organize their own trainings as leaders in their communities to help other youth understand how police misconduct could eventually manifest itself in any interaction they may have with law enforcement.
This ‘youth ambassadors’ plan will be expanded through the NYC Health + Hospitals network of public hospitals, where violence prevention programs operate.
“I think this knowledge will prevent conflict, could possibly help keep them out of jail, and ultimately save lives. GDLU wants to offer this workshop throughout our hospital network and we are working with Legal Aid to make it happen,” said James Dobbins, director of Guns Down Life Up and director of community initiatives for NYC Health + Hospitals’.
How to take part?
- For more information or to join a class, contact Anthony Posada at (917) 494-3687.