Okay

okay

Let's talk police interaction and Deafness and protests

PT: Let's talk police interaction and Deafness and protests

Generally it's good advice for disabled people to never discuss medical conditions or disabilities with the cops. ... unfortunately this does not hold true with Deafness.

While discussing your Deafness with a police offer does put you at risk it's far safer than not hearing an instruction, being perceived as willfully disobeying, and ending up with charges for it, injuries, or dead.

Know your rights!

PT: Know your rights!

‼️ You are legally entitled to an interpreter beginning at arrest. ‼️

.... unfortunately prior to arrest you are not entitled to an interpreter. In these situations police officers are still legally obligated to communicate via notepad and pen. (Which rarely happens, but, like, it is required)

How I manage

PT: How I manage

Keep in mind I have residual hearing, some of this advice will be specific to people with residual hearing because that's my own experience.

I always go with a hearing buddy. The buddy system is important for all people at all protests but it's especially important with Deafness. I make sure that whoever I'm with is A. aware of my Deafness and B. aware of how to respond to a cop trying to interact with me. I usually prefer going with someone who can interpret in a pinch but have not always done that. I give whoever I'm with a script to follow in the event a cop tries to speak with me. This is the script I personally give to people, I'm not sure of its legal soundness but I wanted to share it anyways: "He is Deaf. He can't hear your instructions and is not resisting. If you want to communicate with him you will need to find another means such as writing your instructions down. [and, if applicable] I am able to facilitate communication if needed" I also make sure that whoever I'm with informs me of any important announcements. Even if I choose to stay in a situation where I am risking arrest I like to know I am risking arrest. Having a hearing person say you are Deaf is important beyond facilitating communication. I am personally able to state I am Deaf but cops often don't believe me. I am more likely to be believed if I have someone else tell them that I am Deaf.

I do not rely on residual hearing. Even if you have significant residual hearing it is important that you accurately understand directions. Use the most effective modality for you, not the one most convenient for the officer.

I do not sign around police. Police are known to murder Deaf people for signing because they view our signs as threats. It's also always important not to talk to the cops, whether hearing or Deaf. Even if they don't kill you they will translate your signs and use them against you. Once the cops show up my hands stop moving.

I do not speak once cops are around. Cops have rocks for brains and think that speaking = hearing. They might deny you an interpreter if they hear you speak. This is illegal but will not stop them.

I do not nod my head or otherwise show agreeability. The Deaf nod serves us well in regular conversation but this is not regular conversation. Nodding when you don't fully hear something to seem agreeable can turn into a confession of guilt in the court of law. Do. Not. Nod.

I make sure protest organizers are aware of my presence. I like to let organizers know that I'm Deaf and exactly what I need during the protest. Speaking as someone who has organized protests, we are there to help you. I let organizers know exactly what I need, which for me looks like: making announcements repeating anything said to the crowd by cops, repeating information multiple times so I have multiple opportunities to hear it, and announcements when cops show up--this will look different for everyone based on preference and the specific protest. It's something you get a feel for with practice. Additionally, having more people who know you are Deaf means more people to back you up if the cops don't believe you. I also like to let organizers know that my FM system is not recording- this just makes people feel less paranoid about it.

I sometimes let street medics know I am Deaf. This is just in case I get injured or otherwise need help. Street medics quite disproportionately know sign language, this makes them very cool. They usually want to know how to communicate with you in the event you need help, this is really up for you to figure out. My personal advice is to not rely on anything visual in case you get a chemical weapon in your eyes. I really only do this if I'm planning on being around if/when it becomes a shit show. While there's always a chance of getting caught up in something unexpected, if you're planning on booking it when riot cops show up this is less necessary. (If it's a low risk protest I also usually identify myself as Deaf in other ways, see point #9)

I film everything. The minute I see cops the camera comes out and it's all on video tape. This is generally good protest advice even for hearing people but especially if you encounter a cop refusing to accommodate you then you will need evidence to protect yourself. Deaf people end up with unjust resisting arrest charges all the time and you do not want to be one of them.

I sometimes wear clothing identifying me as Deaf. I have a pin I wear on my mask that says I'm Deaf. This is a tough one to balance because it makes me identifiable. It is sometimes worth it and sometimes not. Weigh the risks with this.

This is all coming from personal experience and may not be the absolute best way but I haven't ever seen advice for Deaf people protesting before so I wanted to put something out there. Just like, go into this with the consideration that I'm some guy with protest experience but by no means am I an expert.

Additions/discussion welcome but only if you're knowledgeable about this. No guesses please, experience-tested tactics only 😁

Why are we sleeping on calling the Raph-Leo duo the SWITCH DUO

Like guys please

PLEASE

Danny: *trying to sleep*

Ghost living in his house: Geeeet Oouuuut...

Danny: Paaaaaay Reeeeeent

Ghost: I'm 200 yeeears oooold...

Danny: Then you're 200 years behiiiiiind on reeeeent

ROTTMNT Restored update!!!!!

Our long awaited ROTTMNT Restored project has a YouTube link: Set to premiere on May 10th, 12pm at this link!

Please share it with your friends, family, etc.

@PowerAuerArt and I hope to see you there!

HOT SOUP!

Hi ik not everyone has Netflix (like me lmao) and still want to watch the new Rise movie so here's a link <3

Edit: Link broke. I fixed it

I think I figured it out?

My favorite thing to do with Danny? And the Zone in General?

Is to just... zoom out a bit, maybe move stage left, leave the trouble and (most of the) dramatics of his teen years behind and just? Discover that not all of Death is War. Not every Obsession is violence.

Sometimes it's owning a fancy little soaps shop. Or that PERFECT garden of their dreams, where they can share with EVERYBODY, that they could never manage in life. Maybe it's the universe biggest Comics library.

Yeah, when you can't die and pain is kinda subjective, a good ol fashioned brawl IS the best way to communicate. Fist to Fist, ecto to ecto, come out the otherside understanding each other a bit better. But like?

.....you could ALSO just use your damn words, you know? Maybe some of us don't WANT to fight.

The freedom to Do Anything? Means a good chunk of us will say "Nah, we good". And move on to do other, non-violent things! Not every Area of the Zone is the SAME you know. It's like countries. Or, well, Galaxies? Since it IS far more spread out then any country will ever be.

It's why Danny probably didn't notice. Thought his area was all there is. It's the standard "my neighborhood is the default. Normal for everywhere" mindset that people unknowingly tend to have before they travel much. It's not like he had any chance to learn otherwise.

He had school in the morning. Had to stick close in case a fight broke out. How FAR could he truely travel? The end of the metaphorical street? The next block over? The Far Frozen alone was pushing it!

But then! He defeats the Tyrant of his Area of the Zone. And it's like a map filling in, in the back of his head. Perfect outline of what's "his" and "not his". And??? Wait, wut?

Why is he not surprised the Observants fuckin Lied? Pariah wasn't King Of Everything! He was king of... *head starts to violently hurt as he tries to grasp the scale of things* ow, Ow, OW! Bad idea! BAD IDEA!!! A chunk? Yeah, big chunk! Let's go with that!

It was APPARENTLY like saying "ruler of the known world". Other countries very much still existed, just APPARENTLY didn't count. Good to know! AFTER THE FACT.

At least HIS territory likes the "Wooooo! Anarchyyyyyy!" Goverment model. Frees him up to do other shit. He can come back to it LATER. But FIRST? :) Get? :) The FUCK :) Off his lawn! :) *kicks everyone back through the portal* *closes it* AND STAY INSIDE THE ZONE!

Abuse of power? Sorry, he can't hear you over his magically recovering sleep schedule and GPA. The fact he might ACTUALLY graduate. His new favorite past time of watch the GIW slowly losing both their funding AND minds. Mmmmmm~ relaxing!

He graduates.

He is the son of crazy people with a shit GPA. His parents may have finally come around on ghosts, started over on their research... with a frankly ALARMING enthusiasm, but? You can't undo decades of damage. The Fenton name is untouchable.

He applies anyway.

Goes ghost for the first time in over a year.

Is... bigger. Starlight and ice. Royal. It feels right, settled in a way. More HIM then his skin could ever hope to be. He notes it, but doesn't linger. Decides to find out what's OUTSIDE "his" territory.

And...

Huh.

The answer depends?

In one direction? An endless battle. From horizen to horizon, like shooting stars. Crashing and smashing, weapons clanging and ringing. Mad blood stained grins. Worthy opponents. A challenge that goes on forevermore.

He...backs away slowly.

Going sorta, up-ish? Leads to a weirdly muted stillness. Muffled. He can't find anybody. But the doors here are pretty... worn. He doesn't want to keep pushing.

Finally, he tries at an angle to the right. And? Spots a patrol? They look nervous to see him, but hold their ground. He asks what's in this direction. Is polite. They look incredibly relieved.

Which is how Danny? Learns about the SINGLE BEST thing ever. The thing I actively fantasize about. Long for. And gift to him because I can.

Floating island cities FULL of highly specific little shops and passion pursuits. All for damn near free, because they are mostly doing it for THEM and you just happen to be there. The islands go one for days in every direction. Overflow with color and sound and the flash of ghosts flying too and frow.

Stunned, Danny, jaw on the floor. Wanders the streets.

Finds a space themed shop and feels his eyes dilate like a cat. Mine ™. He gets a book on "First Astronaut's of their Species" and some BESPOKE space meme socks. Looks around. Decides that this? This is where his doing ALL his shopping from now on.

He's pretty sure he sees a shop dedicated solely to canned food from across the Multiverse.

There is a sale on corn(non radioactive), apparently.

He tells EVERYBODY. Well, Fenton and friends "everybody". But you get the idea! The shopping trip they organize? Is legendary. His Father finds a Fudge shop and probably scares the local ghost population with his mad Fudge Glee cackling. Mom found a weapon smith. And an old fashion lace maker. Jazz? Lost to the world of intergalactic boy bands and psychology textbooks.

Tucker made a running slide straight for the nearest tech shop. Then the butcher. And Sam?

........m....maybe if he doesn't ask? He can claim plausible deniability?

@hdgnj @legitimatesatanspawn @hypewinter @lolottes @nerdpoe