Jesse Williams Instagram – Injustice happens in empty courtrooms. Meaningful work is being done so i teamed up w @scotthechinger and many more including acclaimed singer-songwriter and avid court watcher #FionaApple, who created her first-ever original score for #TheCourtWatchers. Every day, public defenders and other frontline social justice workers witness the churning of thousands of irrational laws and practices which devastate people and communities, fail spectacularly to provide health or safety, and cost a fortune with no actual benefit. Open access to courts is both a constitutional right and a public good. With access comes accountability—and often, more strategic and impactful advocacy. With the creation and growth of court watch programs around the country, hundreds of trained volunteers—from students to seniors—have been able to witness, with intention and expertise, the numerous daily decisions made by prosecutors and judges that impact the people who are already over-policed, over-criminalized, and over-prosecuted. These court watchers have been able to hold power accountable by writing reports and accountability letters, and sharing on social media. Their presence alone is powerful: people accused and their families no longer have to be lone witnesses to their own injustice. CourtWatch.org is a national education and action campaign to raise awareness about the importance of open public access to courts, drive more people to volunteer for existing court watch programs, and help expand and build court watching programs in jurisdictions where they are less present. NOTE: This is not the launch of any “new” court watch program, but an effort to lift up the amazing work already happening across the country, including the years of work with our core campaign partners: @courtwatchpg @bmorecourtwatch @courtwatchdc @courtwatchnola @courtwatchla @courtwatchnyc Learn more and become a court watcher at CourtWatch.org.