100+
YEARS TIME SAVED
20+
PROFILE CASES
Participatory Defense is the most accessible way directly affected communities can challenge mass incarceration, and have the movement building dynamic of seeing timely and locally relevant results of their efforts.
SAVE A LIFE
JOIN OUR PARTICIPATORY DEFENSE MEETING EVERY WEDNESDAY @ 6PM. bit.ly/MAPDefense
It is our duty to fight for our people!
We are an Atlanta Area Participatory Defense Hub, part of the National Participatory Defense Network. Participatory Defense is a community organizing model for people facing charges, their families, and communities to impact the outcomes of cases and transform the landscape of power in the court system.
As activists with a love for the community, we show up in court to support a person while they are going through state and federal legal systems. One of our clients was bailed out of Fulton County Jail, then indicted on Federal charges and locked back up. We went to court with her and were able to get her a signature bond. She’s now out and in our program working to stabilize her life.
THREE PRINCIPLES OF PARTICIPATORY DEFENSE
• FAMILY and COMMUNITY STRENGTH can play a pivotal role in stopping and reducing incarceration for a loved one and a community.
• Families and communities can be even more powerful when taking the role of ORGANIZER AND AGENT OF CHANGE, rather than service recipient.
• By working on individual cases, communities can BUILD THE MOVEMENT of directly impacted peoples to hold the actors of the court accountable, make systemic change, and ultimately end mass incarceration.
OUR PARTICIPATORY DEFENSE HUB CORE MEMBERS
The four core members for our MAP Defense work are Tia Hassell and Barred Business staff members; Denise Ruben, and Bridgette Simpson. (Staff)
Tia Hassell is an Atlanta transplant and a proud alum of North Carolina Central University. She majored in Mass Communication with a concentration in Broadcast Media. Through volunteer efforts and direct impact she discovered her passion for criminal justice reform and helping at-risk youth. Her ultimate goal is to empower and educate her community in as many ways as possible.
In her free time Tia enjoys watching TV and creating content whether it be video editing, photography or special projects.