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History

The Network was created after a national conference held in July 2021. For three days, members from more than 30 organizations came together to talk about how to stop street violence while protecting human rights.

During the conference, everyone agreed they could make a bigger impact by working together. That is when they decided to create a national network called the DNN. Researchers saw that teaming up with community and advocacy groups would help their studies better influence real laws and policies. Activists fighting harsh anti-gang laws in California learned from organizers in New York, who are challenging unfair police practices. Lawyers working on major court cases also connected with formerly gang-involved activists, whose real-life experiences helped bring important voices into the courtroom.

Since the conference, Network leaders have formed a committee that meets regularly. They plan campaigns, listen to what local groups need, and raise money to make the Network a strong and effective force for change.

Structure

Members  – any organization who agrees to the following guiding principles:

• We are committed to advancing public safety strategies that reduce violence and promote healing and restorative justice;
• We oppose law enforcement practices that dehumanize neighborhoods and residents, normalize state violence, or produce racist inequalities;
• We follow the leadership of impacted people and communities, consider scholarship and expert opinions, and contribute to system change.

Decision Making – is done by group consensus

Meeting Facilitation – is done by the Peace and Justice Law Center (PJLC) and California Alliance for Youth and Community Justice (CAYCJ)

Leadership

Peace and Justice Law Center & California Alliance for Youth and Community Justice