Thanks for speaking with us. Could you introduce yourself?
I lead Justice Collective’s efforts to bring more people into courtwatching as a form of activism. As a jurist, I’m also responsible for translating legal knowledge into accessible tools for activists and others to engage critically with the justice system. One of my recent projects was coordinating the development of our legal guide for courtwatchers, which you can download on our website, Racism on Trial.
How did you get involved with the group?
I had known about Justice Collective for some time before I started courtwatching about two years ago. Studying law made me realize that the legal system not only defines ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ behavior, but in doing so, it also upholds existing power structures, often ignoring the social impact of these norms on marginalized communities. This led me to question whether the punishment system itself should be challenged. Learning about abolitionist ideas reshaped my understanding of justice, and through courtwatching with Justice Collective, I found a way to expose the injustices embedded in the system.
How did Justice Collective start? What’s the aim of the collective?
Justice Collective began as a grassroots initiative in Berlin to challenge the justice system’s role in perpetuating harm, particularly toward marginalized communities. It grew out of a recognition that the justice system is not neutral—it disproportionately targets Black people, People of Color, migrants, and other vulnerable groups. Our goal is to demystify the courtroom and expose the structural racism that happens there. Courtrooms are spaces where state power is enforced, and we aim to hold them accountable through courtwatching, documentation, and advocacy. We also connect our work to broader abolitionist movements that push for alternatives to policing, punishment, and prisons.
You recently launched a campaign—could you describe it? What are the goals?
We recently launched “Racism on Trial,” an online platform that aims to reclaim space to discuss and resist punitive politics and racist criminalization. The campaign shines a light on the racism that occurs daily in courtrooms, which is often hidden from public view. The platform features a case archive, our findings on how the criminal legal system upholds injustices, and contributions from impacted communities, activists, and advocates on resisting racist criminalization. It also includes resources like a glossary and our legal guide for courtwatchers. Our goal is to equip more people to observe trials, document injustices, and push for accountability, ultimately building a community that challenges the system from within and drives systemic change.
Why is this work important right now?
Courtrooms are where state power plays out in real time. Decisions made in these spaces determine people’s lives, and the system disproportionately targets marginalized communities. Racism in the justice system isn’t just about individual judges, prosecutors or the police—it’s structural. It’s built into how laws are written, enforced, and interpreted. Right now, we’re seeing a rise in punitive politics across Europe, particularly targeting migrants, refugees, and marginalized groups. These policies are enforced in courtrooms, and without public
accountability, they continue unchecked. This work is critical because people rarely know what happens inside courtrooms. Courtwatching brings transparency and accountability to a space that is often hidden from public scrutiny.
Have you had any big successes so far?
One of our biggest successes is building a community of courtwatchers in Berlin. Courtwatching isn’t something many people are familiar with, but we’ve been able to raiseawareness and get people involved. The launch of Racism on Trial is another milestone. It’s a concrete resource that allows people to engage with the justice system in a meaningful way, even if they don’t have a legal background.
Any events coming up in the future?
Yes! We’re inviting people to join our collective courtwatchings where we go to court every other week. We’re also working on a few contributions to share stories from courtwatchers and discuss abolitionist ideas in the context of the justice system.
You can find details on our website or through our Instagram: @justice_collective_berlin.
If people want to get involved, how can they find you?
The best way to get involved is to visit the website racismontrial.org, where you can download our resources and learn more about courtwatching.
You can also follow us on Instagram (@justice_collective_berlin) for updates on events, workshops, and campaigns.
We’re always looking for more people to join the movement, whether you’re interested in courtwatching, sharing stories, working on our archive or organizing events.
