At a friend's house I found a matchbook printed up by NORML. It serves to advertise the organization, as well as providing information useful during legal troubles. It got me thinking about matchbooks or wallet cards as a good way to make people aware of us. (Matchbooks work better when your organization is concerned with smokables...) Someone mentioned a few weeks ago that we need to have a wallet-sized card that reminds people of their rights when they get into hassles. Experience has shown that we forget and bungle it, without a reminder. The NORML front cover says: Cypherpunk version (strawman): NORML CYPHERPUNKS National Organization Teaching, Learning, for the Reform of and Deploying Marijuana Laws Cryptographic Protection ------------------ 1636 R. St., N.W. Washington, DC 20009 spectron, cleveland, oh <- whoever makes the matches The spine: 900-97-NORML cypherpunks@toad.com The back: Before you rat, Big Brother's listenin' before you squeal, Big Sister's watchin'. before you snitch, Don't get cold feet, or cut a deal.. Use cryptographic stockin's. Call NORML. 900-97-NORML ...etc... (2.95 per minute You must be 18 or older to call) The inside: * NEVER CONSENT TO A Something very similar SEARCH (even with nothing to hide) * NEVER ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS (without an attorney) * CALL AN ATTORNEY IM- MEDIATELY (or call NORML) 900-97-NORML EFF's phone number? (2.95 per minute You must be 18 or older to call) NOTE: The live option is available only from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., EST, M-F. A tract I cut out of a gay newspaper some years ago is in my wallet now; its advice is: SILENCE = GOLDEN ACT-UP/New York's clip-and-save guide to police intimidation The following guidelines were formulated by legal advisors to ACT UP/NY, but they apply to all gay men and lesbians and activists. 1. You do not have to talk to the police or FBI or any other investigators. You do not have to talk to them whether they come to your house, on the street, if you've been arrested, or even if you are in jail. Only a court or a grand jury has legal authority to compel testimony. 2. You don't have to let the police or FBI into your home or office unless they show you an arrest or search warrant which authorizes them to enter that SPECIFIC place. 3. If they do present a warrant, you do not have to tell them anything other than your name and address. You have a right to observe what they do. 4. Make written notes, including the agents' names, agency and badge numbers. Try to have other people present as witnesses and have them make written notes, too. 5. Anything you do say to any law enforcement officer may be used against you and other people. 6. If you do give the FBI or police information, it may mean that you will have to testify to the same information at a trial or before a grand jury. 7. Lying to an FBI agent or other federal investigators is a crime. 8. The best advice, if the FBI or police try to question you or to enter your home or office without a warrant, is to JUST SAY NO! Law enforcement agents have a job to do and they are highly skilled at it. Attempting to "outwit" them is very risky. YOU CAN NEVER TELL HOW A SEEMINGLY HARMLESS BIT OF INFORMATION CAN HELP THEM HURT YOU OR ANOTHER ACT UP MEMBER. 9. The investigators may threaten you with a grand jury subpoena if you don't give them information. But you may get one anyway, and anything you've already told them will be the basis for more detailed questioning under oath. 10. They may try to threaten or intimidate you by pretending to have information about you ("We know what you've been doing, but if you cooperate it will be all right.") If you are concerned about this, tell them you will consider talking to them with your lawyer present. 11. If you are nervous about simply refusing to talk, you may find it easier to tell them to contact your lawyer. Once a lawyer is involved, the agents usually pull back since they have lost their power to intimidate. If you are taken into police custory, once you request an attorney, they MUST cease questioning until your lawyer is present. But remember, you don't have to answer their questions, even if they keep asking.