If you’ve wondered what Fiona Apple’s been up to lately, it turns out she’s been watching legal trials in America, advocating for the law to be applied, pushing against fascism and getting banned. Now, it’s extremely lazy for your scribe to just post someone else’s Tweets, but Scott Hechinger was asked by Fiona to share this story, and he’s chopped up her ten minute testimony into explainable sections so, with respect to everyone, we’re going to thread them here. This is well worth your time if you’re into civilian activism, or share a distaste for local power hungry wankers:
Fiona Apple has a story for you. And it’s incredible. Asked me to share.
She’s become an avid, trained Court Watcher. Her observations helped people jailed pretrial file a civil rights lawsuit. Then came the retaliation. Shut off her access to court.
A video story in 8 parts: pic.twitter.com/uhpgOLWFS6
— Scott Hechinger (@ScottHech) October 24, 2022
“Lets talk about courtrooms!” Fiona Apple’s story begins w/ the Constitutional right to open courts. During COVID, courts closed. Silver lining: Virtual Zoom access for public. Anyone could attend court. Hold actors accountable.
Fiona started Court Watching in PG County, MD. pic.twitter.com/gyxmAWEQA1
— Scott Hechinger (@ScottHech) October 24, 2022
“Welcome to the fucking word, lady!” Part two of Fiona Apple’s story is a basic, necessary civic’s lesson. On what happens in court after arrest. On bail hearings. On how she sees prosecutors berating people for not having $50.
And on how no one in court really follows the law: pic.twitter.com/iCUCMduIez
— Scott Hechinger (@ScottHech) October 24, 2022
Part three of Fiona Apple’s story: She explains the unique, unconstitutional system in PG County, MD. Where judges illegally abdicate their release decision to *local jailers.* And people Fiona’s there to protect are detained *indefinitely.*
This is the subject of the lawsuit: pic.twitter.com/bQOVFmto5q
— Scott Hechinger (@ScottHech) October 24, 2022
This is not hyperbole. But the fourth part of Fiona Apple’s story is one of the clearest, most succinct, & powerful explanations of the impact of pretrial detention. Not just on individuals but on families and communities.
“Every time you touch this system, it sticks to you.” pic.twitter.com/nTeiAOTRSu
— Scott Hechinger (@ScottHech) October 24, 2022
Heres where Fiona Apple’s story gets sinister. Fiona & @CourtWatchPG‘s observations helped a civil rights lawsuit. Then: “What do you think happened when that lawsuit dropped? They took our fucking Zoom access away.”
“It really seems like theyre retaliating against us.” Part 5: pic.twitter.com/XILDaQPVzw
— Scott Hechinger (@ScottHech) October 24, 2022
Fiona Apple recounts one of the worst impacts of PG County, MD illegally taking Zoom access away & being unable even to hear what’s happening in court: They can’t give public defenders support identifying ppl in desperate need.
They have no idea who is who. Part six: pic.twitter.com/0qsNXxaxjo
— Scott Hechinger (@ScottHech) October 24, 2022
Fiona Apple: “I don’t know exactly what to do about all this stuff except to keep court watching & spread information.” Fiona Apple is a true one. Cares so deeply about shedding a light.
“I’m just hoping that the audience that receives this is going to care.” Part seven: pic.twitter.com/jwA8cVmGw8
— Scott Hechinger (@ScottHech) October 24, 2022
Fiona Apple, Court Watcher:”Just think all of those people in there having their lives, family, community upended. A ripple effect. Bc theyre forgotten. W/ no help. Being treated like they’re not even human. Please care.”
“Thank you for listening. And I hope I made some sense.” pic.twitter.com/fo6yf4I9p3
— Scott Hechinger (@ScottHech) October 24, 2022
Here is more information on the lawsuit Fiona Apple’s courtroom observations helped support on behalf of so many people being illegally detained in Prince George’s County, MD. https://t.co/ZKBHAkdN85
— Scott Hechinger (@ScottHech) October 24, 2022
What can you do? First: Sign up to Court Watch! Google Court Watch programs in your area. Ones I know: New Orleans, LA, Baltimore, DC, Chicago, NYC. Some are virtual like Court Watch PG. You can Court Watch from anywhere. More help needed now than ever. https://t.co/S3LrRcHNXE
— Scott Hechinger (@ScottHech) October 24, 2022
More: Prince George’s County, MD & the judges who were sued filed a motion to dismiss. I read through the whole thing. They essentially admit everything. But argue that they should be allowed to continue indefinitely detaining people.
Tomorrow is the hearing. Show up if you can pic.twitter.com/8UYder4BmJ
— Scott Hechinger (@ScottHech) October 24, 2022
Just to be exceptionally clear here: The *community & court watchers in Prince George’s County, MD* asked Fiona to share this story. Fiona is deeply committed to support the local movement. Nothing for them, without them. Nothing about them, without them. https://t.co/YlbiZqFBNC
— Scott Hechinger (@ScottHech) October 24, 2022
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