Thread by @ScottHech

Fiona Apple has a story for you. And it’s incredible. Asked me to share.

She's become an avid, trained Court Watcher. Her observations helped people jailed pretrial file a civil rights lawsuit. Then came the retaliation. Shut off her access to court.

A video story in 8 parts:

“Lets talk about courtrooms!” Fiona Apple’s story begins w/ the Constitutional right to open courts. During COVID, courts closed. Silver lining: Virtual Zoom access for public. Anyone could attend court. Hold actors accountable.

Fiona started Court Watching in PG County, MD.

“Welcome to the fucking word, lady!” Part two of Fiona Apple’s story is a basic, necessary civic’s lesson. On what happens in court after arrest. On bail hearings. On how she sees prosecutors berating people for not having $50.

And on how no one in court really follows the law:

Part three of Fiona Apple’s story: She explains the unique, unconstitutional system in PG County, MD. Where judges illegally abdicate their release decision to *local jailers.* And people Fiona’s there to protect are detained *indefinitely.*

This is the subject of the lawsuit:

This is not hyperbole. But the fourth part of Fiona Apple’s story is one of the clearest, most succinct, & powerful explanations of the impact of pretrial detention. Not just on individuals but on families and communities.

"Every time you touch this system, it sticks to you."

Heres where Fiona Apple’s story gets sinister. Fiona & @CourtWatchPG's observations helped a civil rights lawsuit. Then: “What do you think happened when that lawsuit dropped? They took our fucking Zoom access away."

"It really seems like theyre retaliating against us.” Part 5:

Fiona Apple recounts one of the worst impacts of PG County, MD illegally taking Zoom access away & being unable even to hear what’s happening in court: They can’t give public defenders support identifying ppl in desperate need.

They have no idea who is who. Part six:

Fiona Apple: “I don’t know exactly what to do about all this stuff except to keep court watching & spread information.” Fiona Apple is a true one. Cares so deeply about shedding a light.

"I'm just hoping that the audience that receives this is going to care." Part seven:

Fiona Apple, Court Watcher:"Just think all of those people in there having their lives, family, community upended. A ripple effect. Bc theyre forgotten. W/ no help. Being treated like they're not even human. Please care."

"Thank you for listening. And I hope I made some sense."

Here is more information on the lawsuit Fiona Apple's courtroom observations helped support on behalf of so many people being illegally detained in Prince George's County, MD.

What can you do? First: Sign up to Court Watch! Google Court Watch programs in your area. Ones I know: New Orleans, LA, Baltimore, DC, Chicago, NYC. Some are virtual like Court Watch PG. You can Court Watch from anywhere. More help needed now than ever. courtwatchpg.com

More: Prince George's County, MD & the judges who were sued filed a motion to dismiss. I read through the whole thing. They essentially admit everything. But argue that they should be allowed to continue indefinitely detaining people.

Tomorrow is the hearing. Show up if you can

Fiona Apple has a story for you. And it’s incredible. Asked me to share.

She's become an avid, trained Court Watcher. Her observations helped people jailed pretrial file a civil rights lawsuit. Then came the retaliation. Shut off her access to court.

Her whole video story:

Just to be exceptionally clear here: The *community & court watchers in Prince George's County, MD* asked Fiona to share this story. Fiona is deeply committed to support the local movement. Nothing for them, without them. Nothing about them, without them.

This is incredible. Read this angry, privileged screed from PG County's motion to dismiss the civil rights law suit. Disparaging volunteer Court Watchers. "An army of volunteers, untrained in the law, to watch & make ... impassioned complaints ... w/ little or no legal import."