Imagine you’re in New York (or perhaps another major metropolitan city) peacefully protesting.
Your cause? Let’s say, to curb excessive influence of big business and the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans on U.S. laws and policy. You’re holding up a sign declaring your heartfelt beliefs and chanting a bit with some of your fellow demonstrators when, all of a sudden–bam! The cops slap the cuffs on you, with the intention of carting you off to the nearest police station. Meanwhile, your friends and family are at home completely clueless about your situation.
Enter I’m Getting Arrested, a creative Android app that, according to developer Quadrant 2, was inspired by a similar incident. It lets you quickly notify your family, friends, and crack legal team (if you have one) of your situation with a single tap of your finger. Just initially enter a custom message and some SMS-ready numbers to contact in the event of your arrest. Then, as you’re about to be corralled into the back of a squad car, fire the app up and long-press the bull’s-eye for 2 seconds. From there, you can rest assured that your message will be sent to the appropriate contacts.
(Credit: Quadrant 2)From what we’ve seen, I’m Getting Arrested is straightforward and works exactly as described. Our only question is, why no Twitter or Facebook support? Considering we’re talking about a grassroots movement here, it just makes sense, no? Built-in social media would not only expand the app’s reach to potentially large numbers of friends and loved ones, but it would also serve as a bullhorn for rallying support after every arrest.
I’m Getting Arrested is available for free download now in the Android Market. And for supporters of the Occupy Wall Street movement, you might want to download it before October 15. Just saying.
Brooke West
October 15, 2011
This is not helpful or specific enough. This is terrible info for someone like me who doesn’t have an iPhone. I need to know: What do I do if I get arrested? Will it cost money? How long do I expect to be in the slammer? What can I expect and what are my rights? Never having been arrested before…. Please don’t just send me to an app. I need real, accessible information, NOW.
Thank You!
Sue Basko
October 31, 2011
Dear Brooke,
Read my blog posts:
Arrested at a Protest: How to Plan for It
http://occupypeace.blogspot.com/2011/10/arrested-at-protest-how-to-plan-for-it.html
Top 7 Things that Get People Arrested at a Protest
http://occupypeace.blogspot.com/2011/10/top-7-things-that-get-people-arrested.html
Top 3 Ways to Get Arrested at an Occupation Protest
http://occupypeace.blogspot.com/2011/10/top-3-ways-to-get-arrested-at.html
Occupy Protests and the First Amendment
http://occupypeace.blogspot.com/2011/10/occupy-protest-and-first-amendment_24.html
NOTE: You can almost totally avoid any chance of being arrested if you avoid hanging around with or taking instruction from people who fancy themselves anarchists, or who think they are doing “civil disobedience” by failing to follow simple, fair laws. There are people who make a hobby of being arrested at protests. You don’t have to honor their life choices or make those choices your own. Just don’t get caught up in their actions.
The First Amendment is a powerful thing, to be used wisely. The more facts you learn, the better off.
– Sue