ArchCity Defenders (ACD) is a holistic legal advocacy organization that combats the criminalization of poverty and state violence, especially in communities of color. ACD’s foundation of civil and criminal legal representation, social services, impact litigation, policy and media advocacy, and community collaboration achieves and inspires justice and equitable outcomes for people throughout the St. Louis region and beyond. ArchCity Defenders envisions a society liberated from systems of oppression where the promise of justice and racial equity is realized; communities where our approach to public safety prioritizes investment in well-being, health, and transformation without relying on criminalization and incarceration; and people living freely in their communities, thriving regardless of their race or income. In 2009, Thomas Harvey, Michael-John Voss, and John McAnnar co-founded ArchCity Defenders with a goal to prevent and end homelessness by providing free legal services to the poor and those experiencing homelessness. The model of holistic legal advocacy was pioneered by the Bronx Defenders in New York, and includes providing civil and criminal legal services as well as connecting clients to social services all under one roof. To date, we have filed 55 (and counting) civil rights lawsuits challenging policies and practices—predatory policing, debtors’ prisons, illegal housing practices, cash bail, jail conditions—that disproportionately impact Black people throughout the region. Our successes include ending debtors’ prisons in municipalities like Jennings and Ferguson where residents were targeted for decades on the basis of poverty and race by police and courts. Municipalities throughout the region have reduced their unlawful and predatory practices and we have recovered $10 million in damages for those thousands impacted by revenue-based policing and racial profiling.
External link for ArchCity Defenders
5939 Goodfellow Blvd
St Louis, Missouri 63147, US
As decisions are made about next year’s city budget and Rams settlement funds, residents are demanding something different: investment in people, not punishment. Will elected officials have the courage to listen? Read more and see how to get involved at the link. bit.ly/ACDjj18
Join us in welcoming Da'Ziya Faust, Accounting Specialist to ArchCity Defenders! Da'Ziya joins ACD with a passion for helping individuals and families strengthen their financial well-being through budgeting, saving, and financial education. She holds a BS in Accounting with a concentration in Criminal Justice; and an MS in Accounting, Audit and Accounting Information Systems, from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Before ArchCity, Da'Ziya gained real-world experience working for two of the Big Four accounting firms. She credits those experiences for realizing her desire to help others gain the knowledge and tools needed to create healthy financial habits and long-term financial stability. Da'Ziya says ACD’s holistic advocacy model and its deep commitment to serving vulnerable communities, drew her interest in a role at the organization. In addition to her background in the financial sector, Da'Ziya's hobbies are just as mentally stimulating. "I enjoy relaxing at home with coloring books, sudoku puzzles, and word searches," she says. Welcome Da'Ziya! 🎉 #NewHire #ACD
Our mission to raise $30,000 this Give STL Day is COMPLETE! We officially raised $30,453, surpassing the initial ask! THANK YOU! Your support fueled not only this mission, but ArchCity's ongoing commitment to holistic advocacy, and showing up for our clients every day. We'd like to thank all of our donors, community members, partners and friends who shared our content, our donation page, and the work we do. Every dollar counts. To stay updated on the work of ArchCity Defenders, get involved, and support our mission, visit our website to learn more. Invest in people, not criminalization. #ACD archcitydefenders.org
Our mission to raise $30,000 is a little over half-way complete, with $15,300 donated to ArchCity Defenders! Thank you! Your support fuels our work, and we're thrilled for all the heartfelt contributions this Give STL Day. But this space flight isn't over yet: there's still time to get to our goal. If you'e ready to launch with us, hit the link! https://mtyc.co/jzzruf #GiveSTLDay
It's Give STL Day and ArchCity Defenders is ready to launch! Help fuel our goal of raising $30,000 to continue our mission of showing up for our clients everyday. Today we'll be sharing updates on our stories, along with ways you can get involved, help us double and even triple our donor matched funds, and see exclusive behind-the-scenes content at ACD! We don't have to wait lightyears to create a better world. Invest in people, not criminalization. Take-off at the link. bit.ly/ACD-Give
Show your love and support for the work of ArchCity Defenders this Give STL Day! Join us Monday, May 4 for our Virtual Give STL Day Rally and learn how you can help spread the word, and rally support as we work toward our $30,000 goal. Register at the link. #GiveSTLDay https://bit.ly/acd-rally
BREAKING: Two years after ArchCity Defenders filed the class action lawsuit Reise et al. v. City of Calverton Park, the city has agreed to pay $465,000 to more than 100 impacted residents and end alleged illegal towing practices. The federal court-approved settlement requires the city to change ordinances that labeled cars “derelict” over expired or missing plates, cap abusive “Special Tax Bill” charges, and provide fair hearings before towing. In the video, hear directly from our plaintiffs who helped bring about this change! Read more at the press release. Notice of the settlement will be mailed to potential class members on May 7. https://bit.ly/4tF4PAA
At a time when renters are facing threats of increased taxes, and right to counsel is at-risk of being further defunded, it is vital that we as renters come together to build power! Join Action St. Louis and ArchCity Defenders as we continue to organize around renters rights in St. Louis. JOIN US: 🗓️Tuesday, April 28th ⏰6:00PM 📍5939 Goodfellow Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63147 🔗bit.ly/stlwtt
HANDS OFF STL is hosting a People’s State of the City this Friday, April 17, on the steps of City Hall. Speakers will highlight the key issues everyday residents are facing and call for the city to invest in the things that actually keep us safe. Join us at 5PM! Remarks will begin at 5:15. 📆WHEN: Friday, 4/17 ⏰TIME: 5pm 📍WHERE: Steps of City Hall
ArchCity Defenders' 13th Annual Trivia Night was nothing short of a HUGE success! For the first time, we hosted at the Northside Movement Center, welcoming more than 300 attendees to Mill Creek Gym. After a night of food, music, and trivia, folks showed up to support the mission, too. As we continue our holistic advocacy in the community, we’re proud to share that we raised just over $39,000! Huge thanks to our sponsors, raffle prize donors, guests, staff, and volunteers for making one of the best nights of the year possible. Congratulations to all of our winners, and see you next year! #ACD #TriviaNight