2023 Down South Restorative Justice Conference

Introduction to Participatory Defense

An introduction to participatory defense offers participants a look into an organizing model that was created to support individuals for people facing charges, their families, and communities impacted by the outcomes of cases and transform the landscape of power in the court system. Participants will have an opportunity to discover tools used to support families and communities in their moment(s) of greatest needs. Additionally, participants will be offered the opportunity to ideate and model support mechanisms and tools to better support individuals, families and communities affected by the punitive justice system here in the state of Florida.
Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Angel D’Angelo (he/him) is a community organizer and co-founder of the Restorative Justice Coalition. He is passionate about abolition,
restorative justice, community connection, challenging codependency, and re-imagining the world to one of liberation, not domination. He also serves on the board of directors of The Andrew Joseph Foundation and is a founding member of the Found Family Collective. 
Sadie Dean is a racial justice advocate native to the Tampa Bay area. Her interest in political theory and movement work peaked while attending the University of Florida. Sparked by 2016 elections and the subsequent rise of hate crimes and criminalization within the Black community, Sadie co-founded the Restorative Justice Coalition; a Central Florida based advocacy organization that focuses on community healing and education through the implementation of restorative practices within the criminal justice system and municipal policy. Following her introduction to public narrative at the Harvard Kennedy School (Executive Education Program) in 2019, Sadie has centered much of her organizing efforts in coaching and training elected officials and leaders across the nation in public narrative and effective movement building strategies. She continues to support her local community through grassroot community healing efforts including yoga and storytelling in her free time.