Harlem Civil Rights Virtual Tour

19. Know Your Rights Mural

New York, NY

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This mural was painted after the convictions of the Central Park Five. On April 19, 1989, Trisha Meili was beaten and raped while jogging in Central Park. It happened at a time when the New York City crime rate was high. Five young men Antron McCray (15), Kevin Richardson (14), Yusef Salaam (15), Raymond Santana (14), and Korey Wise (16) were indicted and convicted for attempted murder, and rape of Meili. There were charged with other crimes as well. • None of the defendants had legal counsel during questioning. Together they claimed that they had been intimidated, lied to, and coerced by police into making false confessions. • Within weeks, they each withdrew their confessions, pleaded not guilty, and refused plea deals on the rape and assault charges. • None of the suspects' DNA matched the DNA collected from the crime scene. They were all convicted and received sentence between 5 and 15 years. In 2001, Matias Reyes confessed to the attempted murder and rape of Meili. The five defendants' convictions were vacated by New York Supreme Court Justice Charles J. Tejada on December 19, 2002, after they had all served their sentences. These tragic events, prompted various organizations to take up a mission- to teach individuals their basic rights when approached/or arrested by police. 1. You have the right to remain silent and ask for a lawyer immediately. 2. Don’t give any explanations or excuses. Don’t say anything, sign anything, or make any decisions without a lawyer. 3. You do not have to consent to a search of yourself or your belongings, but the police may pat down your clothing if they suspect a weapon. 4. You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, whether or not you are a U.S. citizen, or how you entered the country. 5. Stay calm. Don’t run, resist, or obstruct the officers. Do not lie or give false documents. Keep your hands where the police can see them. 6. You have the right to make a local phone call.