CHICAGO – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is joining the American Civil Liberties Union to help connect local residents with legal resources and train them for encounters with law enforcement at her Know Your Rights Seminar on Saturday, August 19th from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m at the Sherman Park Library Branch, located at 5440 S. Racine Ave. in Chicago.

“Even before the Trump administration’s abuse of power and divisive rhetoric, many people of color, especially Blacks and Latinos, felt as if their legal rights were not being respected,” Harper said. “In Chicago, of all of police stops made, more than 70 percent of the stops target black people. My event is no way meant to cast doubt and despair on the police, but instead, I want to ensure people know their rights and know the correct way to respond in any situation. After all, if we cannot exercise our rights freely and justly, then the principle of unalienable rights fades away.”

Harper is partnering with the American Civil Liberties Union to inform residents about their constitutional rights. During the event, representatives from the ACLU will review existing legal options for individuals to be prepared for potential encounters with law enforcement, as well as develop a safety plan with attendees to further enhance necessary preparations.