Legal Observer Program
Thank you for your interest in the DC NLG Mass Defense Committee/ Legal Observer Program.
We are experiencing an extremely high volume of emails. We are NOT currently training new Legal Observers.
Please read on for more information, and next steps:
If you are writing about an urgent enforcement, detention, or arrest:
- To report ICE activity of any kind, text or call: 202-335-1183
- To receive support for a non-ICE arrest of yourself or someone you know, call our jail support hotline: 202-850-0010
- To submit footage of any law enforcement activities occurring in public -- which is your right -- follow instructions here: https://www.filmthepolicedc.org/
If you are not a DC barred attorney and are interested in becoming trained as a community observer in Washington DC, our partner orgs also do critical observation work and are training new volunteers:
If you are a DC-barred attorney, please consider joining our jail support team. Please email dcmassdefense@gmail.com with JAIL SUPPORT in the subject line so we can direct you to the committee leads on this work.
- If you are not a DC-barred attorney and would like to support our jail support team, please email dcmassdefense@gmail.com with ARREST HOTLINE in the subject line so we can direct you to the committee leads for this work.
If you are requesting a team of Legal Observers, please email dcmassdefense@gmail.com with LEGAL OBSERVER REQUEST in the subject line and the following information in the text:
- Please confirm the action will take place within Washington DC. Our chapter is not able to support actions outside of Washington DC at present.
- What organization is sponsoring/hosting the action?
- Logistics
- Day, time, general location (e.g. neighborhood)
- General risk level (e.g. Is the action permitted? Are arrests planned)
- Is your organization retaining legal counsel for this action?
- What is your contact information on Signal?
In solidarity,
--Sarah and Jenna, MDC co-chairs
