Thread by @ScottHech

“Judges don't give a damn about us. They'll start to care when we have people power behind us.”

Qiana & Carmen grew a courtwatching force of hundreds. Including Fiona Apple. Courts now trying to shut them down. Not giving up. If you read one thing today: washingtonpost.com/local/public-s…

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 had just been released when she "started court-watching every day. Slowly she felt her pain transform into purpose." Took meticulous notes. Sent accountability letters. Then COVID struck. Fought to secure virtual access. Was a lot for 1 person. That's when an idea arose.

As the churn of the system continued even in a pandemic, Carmen & Qiana knew more help was needed. Collaborated with the public defender office & those they served. Dozens of advocates & activists stepped to read words of those caged. Including Fiona Apple:

The GaspingforJustice.org campaign launched, amplifying voices of those caged in horrific conditions. Urged people to volunteer to courtwatch. "It's easier for judges & prosecutors cage people when no one is looking."

Within 10 days: 175 people signed up to courtwatch!

"Qiana & Carmen watched as their small enterprise transformed into a community across the nation who cared as much as they did." A college grad built a database. High school student built a website. Howard Law students issued a report. Fiona Apple went from a voice to a partner.

Walking the walk: "Fiona Apple had never heard of Prince George’s County before helping w/ GaspingforJustice.org, but she has become one of the team’s most prolific court watchers, volunteering 3 times a week and helping lead a committee focused on maintaining virtual access."

Fiona Apple on power of courtwatch: “It feels like youre actually doing something useful. I don’t know if there’s any other feeling in the world. I mean, love is great, but being useful is another kind of love. You cant just throw them away & no one’s going to notice. We notice.”

Fiona Apple on FIRE about jail conditions & COVID. "I don't see how it's possible for anybody to not be furious. These are people. They don't deserve to be placed in these f*cking death camps. It doesn't sit with my alright. I can't just sit here."

Alarming current status: The only positive development for Justice from COVID is virtual public access to courts. "Now this access is being threatened by judges who want to expel community members from shining a light on the injustices happening every day."campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/keep…

🚨"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."

Happening across the country. Virtual courtwatch should be expanded. Not shut down. Please sign:campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/keep…

Please also follow @courtwatchpg.

Personal note: It has been a true honor to get to know & fight alongside Qiana, Carmen, Fiona, & the local public defenders. Couldn't have imagined this kind of power from our collaboration. And we're not going anywhere. Fight continues. ♥️🙌🔥