Participatory defense is a new, national community organizing approach for families whose loved ones are facing the criminal court system aimed at impacting the outcome of their loved ones' cases and transforming the landscape of power in the courts. The methodology was created in San Jose, Calif., by the community organization Silicon Valley De-Bug, which now trains organizations nationally on how to implement the practice. Currently, over 20 cities nationwide have been trained in participatory defense, and are using the framework to win dismissals and acquittals and significantly reduce sentences. As of 2018, participatory defense communities have accounted for 2,418 years of time saved from incarceration through the work. De-Bug organizer Jayadev will explain the story and possibility of participatory defense, and how the work is part of a larger aim to end incarceration.
