Thread by @ScottHech

THREAD: Perhaps the only positive development for Justice to come from COVID is virtual public access to the courts. Access is a public right & a public good. With access comes accountability. Now courts are trying to shut down virtual court watching. More:campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/keep…

Back near the beginning of the pandemic, I met Qiana Johnson & Carmen Johnson. Two formerly incarcerated leaders of a local organization in Prince George's County, MD helping women coming out get back in to society. Started a courtwatch program. Carmen was the lone court watcher.

Carmen was in court. Took meticulous notes. Sent accountability letters. Churn of the system still continued. Then COVID struck. Fought to remain in the courts & were able to secure virtual access. They kept holding actors accountable. It was a lot of cases though for 1 person.

Then an idea: Life After Release collaborated with the public defender office & those they represented to amplify the experiences of those jailed in horrific conditions. Dozens of advocates & activists stepped to read their words. Including Fiona Apple:

The GaspingForJustice.org campaign called for accountability, but also volunteers for court watching. Nearly overnight, one court watcher, turned into 175. Then the organizing began. Judges & prosecutors knew that every decision they made was being scrutinized. It was working.

Howard Law School reached out to State's Attorney, Aisha Braveboy (@SABraveboy), an alum of the school, to ask her to change her practices. Their students also released a damning, powerful report on their findings.

The Court: Removed them from Zoom. law.howard.edu/content/new-re…

But the @courtwatchpg continued to grow. Continued to hold actors accountable even if just by phone. People who never would be able to go to court (even in the best of times) were able to listen in to ensure judges & prosecutors were pursuing Justice not cruelty.

The alarming current status from Life After Release: "Now, this access is being threatened by judges who want to expel community members from shining a light on the injustices happening every day inside of PG County courtrooms."

"PG County Chief Judge Sheila Tillerson-Adams & other Chief Judges around the nation want to end virtual access to public court proceedings. Barring the public’s virtual access violates our First Amendment right to observe our loved ones Sixth Amendment right to public trials."

"Courts turning off virtual access is like cops turning off their body and dash cameras. Without transparency, there can be no accountability or justice. What is PG County trying to hide?"

"Expanding access to courts by virtual courtwatching is the only way to ensure justice is taking place in our courthouses. We should be inviting, not limiting access. Injustice happens everyday, all around the nation in empty courtrooms." Take action. Sign:campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/keep…