While millions of traffic stops happen every day without incident, too often, law-enforcement uses deadly force against people of color. In the last five years, we have seen huge protests and the names of people like Laquan McDonald, Freddie Gray, and George Floyd. A seemingly routine traffic stop turned violent when a police officer opened fire on Philando Castile. In a lightning quick decision, the police officer shot Mr. Castile seven times, while his girlfriend and her child witnessed the shooting. In another traffic stop, Jayland Walker tried to run away from the police and he was shot 46 times…despite the fact that he was unarmed! Despite the fact that the responsibility for de-escalation falls on the shoulders of police officers, people of color can do a lot to minimize their risk of being harmed or killed. Training can play a huge part in this process. We need to equip African Americans and POC with skills to exercise their rights during several situations:

• During a traffic stop
• During court proceedings
• At the airport
• When confronted at home
• At a school setting