PARTICIPATORY DEFENSE

We have launched a participatory defense hub in western Massachusetts.

Our weekly meetings happen on Wednesday nights from 5-7pm, starting on May 14. For the meeting location, email: wmacommunitydefense@gmail.com.

What is community defense?
Community defense, also known as participatory defense, is a peer support model that brings people who are navigating the pretrial court process together to develop collective knowledge about the pretrial process, share updates about their loved ones case, and develop defense strategies to ensure their loved one has the best possible outcome.

As part of the hub, we offer:

Weekly Meetings
The weekly peer support meetings educate community members on the whole community defense approach and provide space for loved ones to pool and share their knowledge and get support from other community members. 

Social Biographies
We help each community member create a comprehensive biography packet that humanizes their loved one in the eyes of the court and shows the different ways in which they are embedded in their community. It includes information about employment and education, as well as letters of support from loved ones and community contacts.

Court Support
Our community volunteers attend court with families in order to eliminate feelings of isolation and to demonstrate the vast support system that is present for our people. Volunteers also take notes that can help families and their loved one make more informed decisions regarding next steps.

Coordination with Legal Teams
Our volunteers meet with legal teams to coordinate our support with their defense approach in the case. Community defense is not a substitute for legal defense but rather provides an extra layer of community support to help the person who is going through the pretrial process get the best possible case outcome.