The OCU School of Law will host an interactive forum discussing citizen’s rights while interacting with police officers, titled “Know Your Rights 101.”
The event is being organized by the law school and by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, and will be free and open to the public. It will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday Jan. 24 in the McDaniel University Center.
The forum has been planned as a timely address of issues in today’s social sphere, brought to light by the recent controversies involving the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, and Eric Garner in NY.
Law enforcement personnel, attorneys, and law professors will run the forum. Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty and Norman Police Chief Keith Humphrey will give the opening remarks and introduce the purpose of the forum.
Danne Johnson, OCU School of Law professor, pointed out in a recent press release that the forum’s purpose will not be to take sides, but to educate the public.
“Often, right after a tragedy, the dialogue isn’t as constructive as it should be,” Johnson said. “These are complex topics that are difficult to discuss in a heated argument.
“By definition, we, as a society, have to agree to be policed. But we don’t spend enough time to build communication lines between the populace and the police force.”
Johnson, who’s work is focused in civil procedure and race issues, is the main organizer of the event.
The State of Oklahoma will also co-fund the forum.
To participate in the event, you must register at the website. For more information, contact Danne Johnson at 917-734-3290 or Artisha Woody at 405-834-7980.
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