Know Your Rights (AMEMSA)

Federal and local law enforcement have historically targeted Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian (AMEMSA) communities, which may ​​face scrutiny, surveillance, intrusive interviews, and unwarranted investigations. This includes requests for “interviews” from law enforcement that can be distressing for many community members.

Federal local authorities have subjected AMEMSA communities to surveillance in several ways, including:

1. Placing informants in community and religious organizations.

1. Encouraging the broader public to report “suspicious activity” which often results in prejudicial reports about AMEMSA community members that are then pursued by law enforcement.

1. Physical surveillance of AMEMSA community members.

1. Collection of information about community members through various surveillance technologies, including monitoring of online activity.

AMEMSA communities and those perceived to belong to AMEMSA communities also face hate incidents and hate crimes from public institutions and private institutions and individuals.

The civil rights community is here to support AMEMSA communities. You can contact us if you have legal concerns about something that happened to you or your community, to request a “Know Your Rights” presentation, and for additional information and materials. We have interpretation support in a variety of languages.