An artistic rendering of De-Bug's Albert Cobarrubias Justice Project.
At De-Bug’s Albert Cobarrubias Justice Project (ACJP), we often hear families say they feel “lost” when they first find out a loved one is facing criminal charges. There is a deep resolve to assist, but a lack of direction of how. At the ACJP, through the community built with other families walking along a similar journey – they find their way. In that regard, ACJP is that compass a family creates to move collectively towards the justice they seek.
That is why this print poster “Navigating the Criminal Justice Maze” produced by Doug Minkler and Aram James is such an apt artistic rendering of ACJP and the maze of a system in which it works. And as the poster illustrates, a community needs a creative flexibility to respond to the labyrinth of institutional walls, as well as the ability to move in multiple directions, even concurrently, in order to proceed with impact. Some may assume our model of power would most want the resemblance of a proud lion or a high flying eagle – but it is, as the poster shows, the humble octopus that is the true animal spirit of ACJP. The life-form has an inherent fluidity, and has, as the top text shares about ACJP, “many tentacles that move independently, collectively, and in response to danger.”
It is the creative synergy of Aram James, an ACJP co-founder, and reknown Berkeley-based artist Doug Minkler, that was able to articulate this intimate and complex organizing model. James was a tireless advocate as a public defender for over 25 years, but with an organizer’s soul, after his work inside the courtroom, he encouraged community members to not just watch the court process from the sidelines, but to get in the game. In many ways, ACJP was made possible by James telling families who were losing their sons, daughters, mothers and fathers to prison, jail, and/or deportation – you have both the ability and right to stop this, and keep your family whole. The families and community responded, answering his call to hold those public entities controlling the gears of the criminal justice system accountable. With ACJP, criminal justice systems in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, to start, would operate no longer in a veil of secrecy, and nor would families let the institutions grind away without their input. Their inclusion is transforming the institutions themselves. And the families and communities of ACJP have been transformed as well, seeing their own agency to make real change – beating false allegations, helping defense attorneys win for their clients, changing the policies that govern the system, and bringing loved ones home. In the poster, you will see some of the disciplines that enable ACJP to achieve some of the remarkable wins – building relationships with attorneys, creating paper trails, learning and implementing motions and policies, and of course meeting regularly to leverage our cumulative strength and energies.
On the top of the artwork, you will see that the poster is dedicated to Clara Foltz – the first female lawyer in California, and the founder of the Public Defender Movement well over a century ago. James saw a historic connection between Foltz and her movement to the women of ACJP who are carrying on Foltz’s dream of equal representation regardless of background, resources, gender, or race. The ACJP women listed along the border of the poster tell remarkable stories of courage and conviction. Some of them saved their sons from prison, some changed policies that will affect thousands, some who lost their loved ones to police violence have become the leading advocates for law enforcement accountability.
When ACJP started, it had no name. It was simply a group of families who met at the De-Bug community center, diligently building a model as they went. When we lost one of our founding members Albert Cobarrubias in 2010, we decided to name the work after him. This way his name would be called everytime one of our communities fought for justice – he would help guide and embolden the families who didn’t have the opportunity to meet him in person. But they would know him, and thank him. It means a lot to have such a name.
And now, thanks to Aram James and Doug Minkler, we have a poster, done with the same care, effort, and heart of the work of the families who meet regularly. And it means a lot to have such a poster. --Raj Jayadev
Click here to download a high resolution version of the print poster.
This was first published by Silicon Valley De-bug.
Poster Art by Doug Minkler, a Berkeley-based artist and Aram James, an ACJP co-founder.
Read more stories from Silicon Valley De-Bug »
Comments
This is a reference tool and not just a poster. It should come with classes offered so it can be fully understood.
By Oops
• January 9, 2012, 6:53 p.m.
"This poster should be taken to public defenders to hand to their clients with an explanation of each thing in the poster. Even without the poster, each component of the poster should be a basic communication required of a public defender to give to every criminal defendant."
By Oops
• January 9, 2012, 7:32 p.m.
This is an amazing gift to the community. It is simple, easy to understand and provides really important information to assist those who would not have access otherwise.
By marsha childs
• January 9, 2012, 8:18 p.m.
Wow! Thanks for creating this inspiring work. Your designs will make a cool website --"I'm already hooked".
By Danielle Martell, Palo Alto Community Advocate
• January 9, 2012, 9:14 p.m.
Untangling the complexities of the justice system so that justice can emerge is a worthy task, and is not as simple as we might assume -- and as the poster illustrates.
What an excellent reminder Mr. James and Mr. Minkler have produced in an artistic icon that will continue to serve for years. It exhorts perseverance for the many that face the bureaucratic complexities. Just when the downtrodden might conclude the system preserves priviledge, vs. delivering justice, we are reminded that justice for all is at the heart of the matter.
It also recognizes the old truth that an injustice for one is an injustice for all. When viewing matters through the lens of justice, no attention is paid to how unpopular or popular a topic might me. Justice stands alone as an eternal value that must be pursued without regard to current sentiment or political noise.
Thanks to James and Minkler for providing a road map for good will towards man and the prevention of evil -- right human relations are essential for civilization to continue and for freedom to ring.
Tim Gray of Palo Alto
By Timothy Gray
• January 9, 2012, 10:09 p.m.
Mr. James is relentless in his pursuit of social changes on any level which benefits mankind.
Mr. James gives of himself tirelessly to all those who find themselves engulfed in a legal quandary.
He recognizes the labyrinth of our current judicial system and would assist anyone who finds themselves unjustly caught in the froth and insidious web of our judicial system.
A system broken and filled with distrust and discontentment. For this reason he generously gives of himself without compensation or pro bono.
Both are artists in their respective fields and the poster helps us visually appreciate the dilemma of our judicial system.
This poster epitomizes my recent experiences with the justice system in Family Court. I can only imagine the loneliness of one individual -wrongfully accused- facing the criminal court. The criminal justice system in America is beyond corrupt. There are a few warriors fighting this. Thank you Aram :)
In their informative resource, Mr. James and Mr. Minkler have succinclty and accurately reflected the rigged game called the "criminal justice system." The justice system which uses the adversarial approach to reveal truth in order to obtain justice. Unfortunatley an adversarial system of justice only works when the rules are enforced between two equal apponents. In our current justice system, the state typically pits a 250lb. champion with unlimited resources against a 135lb. beginner with no resources. More times than not the 135lb. beginner will lose regardless if he/she in innocent. To make matters worse, the judges and other accountablility mechanisms, (the State Bar and elected officials), often look the other way whenever the 250lb. champion cheats to win and even sometimes knowingly condones the cheating perpetrated by the champion. The end result is a significant loss of the public's money thrown down the drain of the prison system which does nothing to bring about justice to the victims of crime. Why, because elected officials and special interests love money more than truth and as a result destroy communnities for generations. Hence, the necessity of informing the public of the corrupt system through James' and Minkler's poster demonstrating the necessity of fighting for Freedom, for it is neither free nor easily retained.
Case in point
A non-violent offender, Nicolas Barbinica, 33, who has been convicted of burglary has been sentenced to 35yrs. in prison under the stat's 3-strikes law for stealing $5,500.00 worth of jewelry. Instead of forcing Mr. Barbanica to pay the victims seven times what he stole, which I belive would be the best deterrent to Mr. Barbanica committing a crime in the future in addition to restoring the victims' loss materially and psychologically, the policy makers and "prison system-special interests" are forcing us, the People, to pay a minimum of $1,000,000.00 to house, clothe, and feed Mr. Barbanica for the next 30yrs. Given Mr. Barbanica's age taht cost will likely escalate to $2,000,000.00 due to inflation and medical expenses. Instead of correctly and effectively disciplining Mr. Barbanica in order to compel him to be a productive member society, the State and special interests are making a lot of money off of the tax payers, the People, by forcing the People to pay prison guard baby sitters. At first there were only two victims, now the entire State of California is being victimized by the legistlators and special interests. Ask yourself one simple question, would you rather spend over a million dollars on Mr. Barbanica; or force Mr. Barbanica to pay the two victims $40,000.00 over the next five years?
http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_19715472
www.electtheninetynine.org/unjust-punishment.html
www.electtheninetynine.org/judicial.html
www.electtheninetynine.org/due-process.html
By Tony Ciampi
• January 12, 2012, 12:49 p.m.
The Minkler-James poster represents the concept that we the people of America should not be deprived of due process and the legal protection of the law. Also, this poster suggests, that people have the responsibility of learning all they can to empower and prepare themselves to take an active and informed role in the justice system. Our country's past successes depended upon informed citizens and individuals--being willing to take on the common problems. Given our current problems -- including those associated with the criminal justice system--being fully informed is more important then ever. This poster is an example of the type of information needed to unlokd the doors to freedom.
By Anna Griffin
• January 12, 2012, 10:48 p.m.
Finally - a fact-based, realistic portrait of the rigged system many of the public never sees in a form everyone can read at a glance.
This should be posted in every courtroom in the land. Thank you, artists and visionaries, for giving me hope.
Carol Denney
The poster in not just a poster or work of art. To my family and my self it is a navel compass. It is directing me to a battle, to an issue, to an injustice that must be addressed and is addressed at the many different levels of abuse. It speaks to justice in the community, for the community, and by the community. What we have learned and what we pass on peacefully is a weapon in a battle that can not be overepowered by any "system". Making the system respond to its own directions is the key to success. We have their attention and they recognize their faults. Though many refuse to recognize that change will come, we have the strenght to coach and assist the change that needs to come to their system. We are making their system what it was intended to be, OUR SYSTEM. It is our system when it works for everyone not just those who feel intitled.
By Danny Garza
• January 30, 2012, 3:34 p.m.
HI DEBUG,
I Just reviewed this poster, i think it's great!. Their is nothing wrong in educating society,especially when we live in a corrupt county. San Jose has one of the highest statistic rates of being harrassed by the police and court system. You are told right away to be quiet, don't speak, by the D.A...Not sure what that's all about lol.. But we all do have right's and especially we have our 1st amendment and freedom of speech to speak out and defend ourself when needed.They try to intimidate us especially when they think we are not educated enough through our own judicial laws. LOL...!!
Time to Educate ourself, nothing wrong with that.
Sincerely,
Noreen A.Salinas
By noreen ann salinas
• January 31, 2012, 3:19 p.m.
Comments
This is a reference tool and not just a poster. It should come with classes offered so it can be fully understood.
"This poster should be taken to public defenders to hand to their clients with an explanation of each thing in the poster. Even without the poster, each component of the poster should be a basic communication required of a public defender to give to every criminal defendant."
This is an amazing gift to the community. It is simple, easy to understand and provides really important information to assist those who would not have access otherwise.
Wow! Thanks for creating this inspiring work. Your designs will make a cool website --"I'm already hooked".
Untangling the complexities of the justice system so that justice can emerge is a worthy task, and is not as simple as we might assume -- and as the poster illustrates.
What an excellent reminder Mr. James and Mr. Minkler have produced in an artistic icon that will continue to serve for years. It exhorts perseverance for the many that face the bureaucratic complexities. Just when the downtrodden might conclude the system preserves priviledge, vs. delivering justice, we are reminded that justice for all is at the heart of the matter.
It also recognizes the old truth that an injustice for one is an injustice for all. When viewing matters through the lens of justice, no attention is paid to how unpopular or popular a topic might me. Justice stands alone as an eternal value that must be pursued without regard to current sentiment or political noise.
Thanks to James and Minkler for providing a road map for good will towards man and the prevention of evil -- right human relations are essential for civilization to continue and for freedom to ring.
Tim Gray of Palo Alto
Mr. James is relentless in his pursuit of social changes on any level which benefits mankind.
Mr. James gives of himself tirelessly to all those who find themselves engulfed in a legal quandary.
He recognizes the labyrinth of our current judicial system and would assist anyone who finds themselves unjustly caught in the froth and insidious web of our judicial system.
A system broken and filled with distrust and discontentment. For this reason he generously gives of himself without compensation or pro bono.
Both are artists in their respective fields and the poster helps us visually appreciate the dilemma of our judicial system.
This poster epitomizes my recent experiences with the justice system in Family Court. I can only imagine the loneliness of one individual -wrongfully accused- facing the criminal court. The criminal justice system in America is beyond corrupt. There are a few warriors fighting this. Thank you Aram :)
In their informative resource, Mr. James and Mr. Minkler have succinclty and accurately reflected the rigged game called the "criminal justice system." The justice system which uses the adversarial approach to reveal truth in order to obtain justice. Unfortunatley an adversarial system of justice only works when the rules are enforced between two equal apponents. In our current justice system, the state typically pits a 250lb. champion with unlimited resources against a 135lb. beginner with no resources. More times than not the 135lb. beginner will lose regardless if he/she in innocent. To make matters worse, the judges and other accountablility mechanisms, (the State Bar and elected officials), often look the other way whenever the 250lb. champion cheats to win and even sometimes knowingly condones the cheating perpetrated by the champion. The end result is a significant loss of the public's money thrown down the drain of the prison system which does nothing to bring about justice to the victims of crime. Why, because elected officials and special interests love money more than truth and as a result destroy communnities for generations. Hence, the necessity of informing the public of the corrupt system through James' and Minkler's poster demonstrating the necessity of fighting for Freedom, for it is neither free nor easily retained.
Case in point A non-violent offender, Nicolas Barbinica, 33, who has been convicted of burglary has been sentenced to 35yrs. in prison under the stat's 3-strikes law for stealing $5,500.00 worth of jewelry. Instead of forcing Mr. Barbanica to pay the victims seven times what he stole, which I belive would be the best deterrent to Mr. Barbanica committing a crime in the future in addition to restoring the victims' loss materially and psychologically, the policy makers and "prison system-special interests" are forcing us, the People, to pay a minimum of $1,000,000.00 to house, clothe, and feed Mr. Barbanica for the next 30yrs. Given Mr. Barbanica's age taht cost will likely escalate to $2,000,000.00 due to inflation and medical expenses. Instead of correctly and effectively disciplining Mr. Barbanica in order to compel him to be a productive member society, the State and special interests are making a lot of money off of the tax payers, the People, by forcing the People to pay prison guard baby sitters. At first there were only two victims, now the entire State of California is being victimized by the legistlators and special interests. Ask yourself one simple question, would you rather spend over a million dollars on Mr. Barbanica; or force Mr. Barbanica to pay the two victims $40,000.00 over the next five years? http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_19715472 www.electtheninetynine.org/unjust-punishment.html www.electtheninetynine.org/judicial.html www.electtheninetynine.org/due-process.html
The Minkler-James poster represents the concept that we the people of America should not be deprived of due process and the legal protection of the law. Also, this poster suggests, that people have the responsibility of learning all they can to empower and prepare themselves to take an active and informed role in the justice system. Our country's past successes depended upon informed citizens and individuals--being willing to take on the common problems. Given our current problems -- including those associated with the criminal justice system--being fully informed is more important then ever. This poster is an example of the type of information needed to unlokd the doors to freedom.
Finally - a fact-based, realistic portrait of the rigged system many of the public never sees in a form everyone can read at a glance.
This should be posted in every courtroom in the land. Thank you, artists and visionaries, for giving me hope.
Carol Denney
The poster in not just a poster or work of art. To my family and my self it is a navel compass. It is directing me to a battle, to an issue, to an injustice that must be addressed and is addressed at the many different levels of abuse. It speaks to justice in the community, for the community, and by the community. What we have learned and what we pass on peacefully is a weapon in a battle that can not be overepowered by any "system". Making the system respond to its own directions is the key to success. We have their attention and they recognize their faults. Though many refuse to recognize that change will come, we have the strenght to coach and assist the change that needs to come to their system. We are making their system what it was intended to be, OUR SYSTEM. It is our system when it works for everyone not just those who feel intitled.
HI DEBUG,
I Just reviewed this poster, i think it's great!. Their is nothing wrong in educating society,especially when we live in a corrupt county. San Jose has one of the highest statistic rates of being harrassed by the police and court system. You are told right away to be quiet, don't speak, by the D.A...Not sure what that's all about lol.. But we all do have right's and especially we have our 1st amendment and freedom of speech to speak out and defend ourself when needed.They try to intimidate us especially when they think we are not educated enough through our own judicial laws. LOL...!!
Time to Educate ourself, nothing wrong with that.
Sincerely,
Noreen A.Salinas
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