Chief U.S. District Judge Curtis Collier presides over a naturalization ceremony in this file photo.The Chattanooga Hamilton County branch of the NAACP wants residents to know their rights and understand the wisdom of obeying law enforcement.
"It's better to obey and figure it out later than to challenge them and end up dead," local NAACP President Dr. Elenora Woods said.
If you go
* What: NAACP 8th Annual Criminal Justice Seminar * When: 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday * Where: Chattanooga Choo Choo Imperial Ballroom * Admission: Free, but call 423-320-8598 to RSVP if you plan to attend.
The advice comes after several incidents that involve law enforcement in the deaths of black men including Walter Scott of North Charleston, S.C. in April; Tony Robinson of Madison, Wis., in March; and Michael Brown of Ferguson, Mo., in August.
The NAACP will host its 8th annual criminal justice seminar from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Imperial Ballroom. The seminar comes as the Chattanooga Hamilton County NAACP celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.
The seminar will include a luncheon at which Senior United States District Judge Curtis L. Collier will receive the 5th Annual Thurgood Marshall Award for his years of service.
The seminar is free and will include as speakers NAACP National Director of Criminal Justice Carlton Mayers; Executive Director of Tennessee ACLU Hedy Wienberg; District Attorney General Neal Pinkston; and Georgia President of NOBLE Robert Ford.
Local attorney and former 11th District Public Defender Ardena Garth will conduct a free legal clinic, and retired educator Jennifer Woods will discuss rights for special-needs children in the public school system.
"It's going to be phenomenal," Woods said. "We want to make sure our young folks come out to hear about their rights from the experts."
The theme of the event is "Know your rights."
NAACP officials also will suggest behaviors to keep encounters with law enforcement from escalating.
Eric Atkins, a seminar coordinator, said drivers should keep their hands on the steering wheel if they're pulled overy by police. They should have identification hands and shouldn't provoke.
The first priority is staying alive, Woods said.
"Some things you do because it makes sense," she said. "You deal with rights when you get to court. But you've got to stay a live to make it to court."
Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431.