The Power of the Red Card: Standing Strong Together
The content of the RED card:
The rights protected by the red card apply to anyone living in the United States. The Fourth Amendment grants you the right to deny entry to your residence or any private place. The Fifth Amendment gives you the right to remain silent. The Sixth Amendment gives you the right to have legal representation.
The Red Cards are being distributed by nonprofit organizations like Latino Network, as well as by schools, family service offices, lawyers, clinics, allies, and businesses. TODEC, a legal aid organization in Southern California, has distributed more than 500,000 cards. Created by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), the red card has existed for more than two decades. It is available in 19 languages and is the size of a credit card. To access the cards: Origin of the Red Card
You Have the Power Against the Abuse of Power!
Your rights will not always be respected. But you have every right to exercise them. Police officers from any branch use intimidating, brutal, and frightening tactics. But that does not mean we will stop practicing our rights.
The red card is a tool. If you don’t use the card, memorize your rights under the Constitution. Carrying the card does not mean you are undocumented. It means you are prepared to exercise your rights. One way to show solidarity with immigrants is by carrying the red card.
The Power of the Red Card
The red card is a tool or option that contains a list of practical tips. It is designed for anyone, regardless of immigration status. Adults, teenagers, and children can carry it. It can be used when a police officer or federal agent stops you and tries to question you about a crime you are suspected of being involved in.
The Disadvantage of the Red Card
The red card is not protection against arrests, and authorities will not always respect it. It does not constitute legal advice. Understanding what the content the red card is communicating is important, if you do not understand its content, it will not help you. (TIP: Although these cards are available in many languages, learning and practicing saying it english will be useful when communicating your rights.)
We invite you to watch and share the following video, where they explain more about the red card and the rights that protect us:
- English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL310jPqWUs
- Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Me0mjFNrdLg
- Korean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTyFE1JnlPc
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