They hired mostly young Black people from the neighborhood, many of whom had been harassed by the police on multiple occasions. “Part of being a Black person in this country,” Mr. Starr said, “is that there is more than a reasonable, credible level of fear that at any point of time — whether hanging out on a stoop with friends on a summer night or going to work — there is nothing about myself that matters to a police officer in those interactions except that I am Black and that is what will define the interactions.”During the hourlong session at Grandchamps, Mr. Starr offered advice on how to respond to the police: If you are stopped on the street, you are not obligated to provide identifying information, answer questions, or consent to body or property searches. Always ask if you are being detained or if you are free to go.

Source: International New York Times July 15, 2020 09:00 UTC