⚖️ Know Your Rights

Palestine Legal (US-based, excellent resources) - Know Your Rights materials, direct legal support for students, 10 Reasons for Students to Call, virtual workshops available, contact proactively if facing issues.

Just Peace Advocates - Palestine Legal Resource Canada - Canadian initiative, bolsters Palestine solidarity movement, challenges legal bullying and harassment, serves activists across Canada.

Legal Centre for Palestine - Canadian-based, legal advice and support for activists.

Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) - Protects civil liberties, Know Your Rights: Protesting.

Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII) - Free access to court judgments, tribunal decisions, statutes and regulations.

LegalTree.ca - Collaborative legal resource, secondary sources on Canadian law.

Canada Legal Help - Free legal information, database by subject area.

Student Rights on Campus

Free Expression: Students have freedom of expression (protected under Charter). This includes organizing, tabling, protests, wearing symbols (keffiyeh, watermelon, etc.). Universities are supposed to protect academic freedom.

Administration CAN: Require permits for events (must be content-neutral), set reasonable time/place/manner restrictions, require advance notice, enforce safety regulations.

Administration CANNOT: Punish you for political viewpoint, selectively enforce rules based on content, restrict speech because others disagree, retaliate for organizing.

If You’re Facing Discipline:

  1. Contact Palestine Legal - They’ve supported thousands of students, free consultations
  2. Document everything - Save emails/letters/notices, screenshot social media, write down conversations with date/time/who, keep copies of flyers/permits
  3. Don’t go to meetings alone - Bring witness, take notes, ask for everything in writing
  4. Know your rights - Due process, right to see evidence, right to respond, right to appeal
  5. Get support - Student union, faculty allies, other student groups, legal organizations

Red Flags - Contact Legal Support: Accused of antisemitism for criticizing Israel, disciplinary action seems selective, process lacks due process, threats of suspension/expulsion, investigation seems biased.

Protest Rights in Canada

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: Section 2(b) - Freedom of Expression (right to hold and express opinions, right to peaceful assembly and protest). Section 2(c) - Freedom of Peaceful Assembly (right to gather and demonstrate). Section 2(d) - Freedom of Association (right to organize with others). Section 9 - Freedom from Arbitrary Detention (cannot be arrested without reason). Section 10 - Rights on Arrest or Detention (right to know why arrested, right to legal counsel, right to habeas corpus).

Before a Protest - Preparation: Know the laws in your city, understand permit requirements, have legal observer present, know your rights (carry card), have legal support number in phone, tell someone where you’re going, bring ID (not required to show unless arrested), don’t bring anything you can’t afford to lose.

Safety Planning: Buddy system, communication plan, exit routes, meeting point if separated, what to do if arrested.

During a Protest:

You CAN: Peacefully protest without permit in many cases, chant, hold signs, hand out literature, record police (but don’t interfere), leave at any time (unless lawfully detained), refuse to show ID (unless arrested).

You CANNOT: Block emergency vehicles, damage property, assault anyone, interfere with police duties, trespass (depends on property type).

If Police Approach: Stay calm (don’t run unless immediate danger, keep hands visible). Ask questions: “Am I free to go?” (if yes, leave), “Am I being detained?” (if yes, why?), “Am I under arrest?” (if yes, stay silent). Do NOT: resist physically (even if arrest is unlawful), consent to searches, answer questions beyond identifying yourself if arrested. Assert your rights: “I am exercising my right to remain silent”, “I want to speak to a lawyer”, “I do not consent to any searches”.

If You’re Arrested:

  1. Stay Silent: “I am exercising my right to remain silent”
  2. Request Lawyer: “I want to speak to a lawyer”
  3. Do Not Consent: “I do not consent to any searches”
  4. Remember: Anything you say CAN and WILL be used against you

You MUST Provide: Your name (once arrested), your address.

You DO NOT Have to: Answer other questions, explain where you were going, say anything about the protest, sign anything, consent to searches.

Legal Support: Palestine Legal, Just Peace Advocates, National Lawyers Guild.

Province-Specific Resources

Alberta: Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre (ACLRC) - Dissent & Disobedience, Right to Be Free from Arbitrary Arrest, Rights Around Arrest and Detention. Calgary: Know Your Protest Rights, Calgary, Calgary Police Service resources.

Ontario: Ontario Federation of Labour: Activist’s Guide to Safer Protesting (PDF) - Comprehensive guide, your rights, safety tips, what to do if arrested.

Other Provinces: Canadian Civil Liberties Association: Protesting, contact local civil liberties organizations.

Law Enforcement Contact

This sometimes happens to Palestine solidarity activists. DO NOT PANIC. You have rights.

If They Contact You:

  1. Do Not Talk to Them - Politely decline: “I don’t want to speak with you without a lawyer present”, get their contact info (card), do not answer questions, even “friendly” small talk
  2. Contact Legal Support Immediately - Palestine Legal, National Lawyers Guild, Center for Constitutional Rights
  3. Get a Lawyer - Do not meet with law enforcement without lawyer, lawyer will guide you
  4. Tell Others - Warn your organizing community, they may be targeting multiple people

What to Say: “I am exercising my right to remain silent”, “I want to speak to a lawyer”, “I do not consent to any searches”. THEN STOP TALKING.

Resources: Palestine Legal: Advisory on Law Enforcement Visits, National Lawyers Guild Materials, Center for Constitutional Rights, “What to Do If You are Contacted or Visited by the FBI” (with Radhika Sainath).

Responding to Accusations of Antisemitism

Palestine Legal: Interactive Guide on Antisemitism Redefinition - Timeline of distorted definitions, human impact stories, resources to combat smearing attacks, how to respond to false accusations.

Key Points:

  1. Criticism of Israel is NOT antisemitism - Israel is a state, states can and should be criticized, this is protected political speech
  2. Anti-Zionism is NOT antisemitism - Anti-Zionism = opposition to Zionist ideology, many Jews are anti-Zionist, political ideology vs. ethnic/religious identity
  3. We actively oppose antisemitism - Antisemitism is hatred of Jewish people, we stand against all forms of racism, many Jewish students are part of our movement

Response Template: “We firmly oppose antisemitism in all its forms. Our movement is based on human rights and international law. Criticism of Israeli government policies is not antisemitism—it’s a legitimate expression of political speech. Many Jewish students and allies are central to our organizing, including groups like Jewish Voice for Peace and Independent Jewish Voices Canada. We welcome anyone committed to Palestinian human rights and reject all forms of racism, including antisemitism.”

Jewish Allies: Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), Independent Jewish Voices Canada (IJV).

Before Major Actions - Risk Assessment

Before organizing major action (protest, occupation, etc.), assess:

Legal Risks: What laws might we be accused of breaking? What are potential consequences? Do we have legal support lined up? Have we consulted with lawyer if high-risk?

Safety Risks: Potential for counter-protesters? University discipline possible? Police response anticipated? Are people prepared for these risks?

Support Systems: Legal observer present? De-escalation plan? Medical support if needed? Communication plan? Bail fund if arrests possible?

Informed Consent: Have participants been briefed on risks? Does everyone understand potential consequences? Is participation voluntary? Can people opt out without pressure?

Know Your Rights Video Series: “Protecting Your Rights on Campus” (with Zoha Khalili, student organizing rights, what to do if facing discipline, due process), “What to Do If You are Contacted or Visited by the FBI” (with Radhika Sainath, your rights, what to say and not say, when to contact legal support), “Israeli Apartheid Week” (with Liz Jackson, organizing education campaigns, responding to opposition, legal considerations).

Virtual Workshops

Palestine Legal offers workshops tailored to your group: virtual workshops available, in-person depending on location, topics customized to your needs. Request a workshop: contact through palestinelegal.org, explain your situation, they’ll work with you.

Additional Safety Resources

Protester Safety Tips (HRC) (hydration, supplies, emergencies), Protesters’ Rights (ACLU) (public spaces, permits, violations), Protest Rights and Safety (ACLU of Washington) (planning, health, privacy), Right to Protest (Amnesty International) (discrimination, police militarization, safety), Protester Safety Infographic (Meshkov & Breslin) (visual guide).

Action Steps

Right Now: Save Palestine Legal number in phone, download Know Your Rights card, read relevant guides for your province, share with your organizing group.

Before Next Action: Review protest rights, have legal observer, brief participants on rights, create safety plan.

If Issues Arise: Contact legal support immediately, document everything, don’t face it alone.

Resources Summary

Legal Support: Palestine Legal (primary resource for students), Just Peace Advocates (Canadian support), Legal Centre for Palestine (Canadian legal advice).

Know Your Rights: CCLA: Protesting, Canadian Charter of Rights, Palestine Legal: Student Organizing Resources.

Province-Specific: Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre, Ontario Federation of Labour Guide (PDF).

Questions? Email mail@berryhouse.ca

Related: Digital Security →, Mental Health →, Campus Organizing →.

From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. 🇵🇸