Community Defense of East Tennessee

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Knoxville, TN
Community Defense of East Tennessee

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Organizing communities to fight injustice case by case. Part of the national Participatory Defense Ne Are you facing criminal charges? We are not a legal clinic.

Do you know someone who could use support with a criminal case? Community Defense of East Tennessee is a grassroots group of community members organizing on behalf of families and individuals facing criminal charges. We offer a safe space and strategic support to navigate the criminal justice system in Knoxville and surrounding counties. We are part of a national network of groups practicing participatory defense, a community organizing model that empowers individuals, families and communities to impact the outcome of cases and change the landscape of power in the criminal justice system. Contact us at [email protected]. https://communitydefenseet.wixsite.com/cdetpush

10/29/2026

CDET has worked actively to reduce pretrial detention, challenge harmful bail practices, and support community members with a range of resources and networks to navigate the criminal legal system.

One of three proposed constitutional amendments, allowing courts to deny bail before trial for additional serious offenses beyond capital crimes by Tennessee legislators, is a major threat to this effort. The proposed Expanded Bail Restrictions Amendment would adversely impact CDET’s (bail) work as it would allow courts to deny bail for a wider range of offenses, potentially increasing pretrial detention and impacting many of the communities CDET supports.

Following the implementation of the bail statute in knoxville, we have observed no correlation between bail and higher crime rates. This bill is cruel. This bill is unusual. It is not fair… and it is not speedy.

Let us be clear. If you want to uphold your constitutional rights, vote NO on this amendment.

10/29/2026

Here is the link!

https://forms.gle/T1SUWzveYBfaRtUK8

10/25/2026

Tonight at 6:10 we will be honoring Juan at Magnolia Avenue streetscape. Be there!!

There are several options for parking:-
* At the corner of Magnolia Ave and 400 N Chestnut
* Corner of Kyle Street and Magnolia Ave
* The former or old Dollar Tree and KFC on Magnolia
* Fifth Avenue Baptist Church Parking Lot

10/21/2026

📍 First Creek at Austin Greenway Connector
Funded: FY2026–27
Investment: $1.5M
WE FOUND IT.
Knoxville was capable of investing $1.5 million here.
We asked for $1.45 million for true alternative response.
So now the question changes.
It’s no longer:
Can we find $1.45 million?
It’s:
How many times can we find it?
In Memory of Shane

10/17/2026

JUST BECAUSE IT'S FOOTBALL TIME IN KNOXVILLE 🏈 POLITICAL FOOTBALL — THE SCORE IS 4–0

THE COACH = THE PEOPLE
The people have asked for alternative response.

THE PLAY = THE STUDY
The City/County study found that alternative response is needed.

THE MAYOR = TAKING A KNEE
Because she knows she has the power and doesn’t want to pick up this “political football” regardless of the score.

THE SCORE: 4–0

4 — Lives lost under this administration. Four people who needed help.

0 — It makes O damn sense to not do something.

LET’S HELP THE MAYOR FIND $1.45 MILLION.REVEAL📍📍📍📍 First Creek at Austin Greenway Connector
🕕NEW TIME For Fall 6PM
Come out tomorrow so we can talk about this investment
With the weather changing, let's meet a little earlier so we can have a little more daylight and hopefully a little more warmth
🪑Bring your chairs let's chitchat about all of the latest things happening in Knoxville 😒and there's a lot happening

10/17/2026

Bruh 👀

The white supremacist who killed 10 Black people at a Buffalo supermarket is now arguing that too few Black people in the jury pool could prevent him from receiving a fair trial.

Payton Gendron’s attorneys filed a last-minute motion seeking to dismiss all 27 federal hate crime and weapons charges, claiming Black residents are systematically underrepresented on Western New York jury lists. Gendron is already serving life without parole for the 2022 massacre, but the federal case could end with a death sentence.

10/12/2026

Honoring Indigenous people Day! Freedom to The Land!!!

10/09/2026

You thought we forgot ⁉️

While we can’t meet in person to due inclement weather, we’re still looking for the money like she’s looking for horses to put in market square 👀

We will continue our in person the following week

10/09/2026

"It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains." - Assata

City of Knoxville - Government, Knox County Government Knoxville Police Department - TN Knox County Sheriffs Office

"Silence is the tool that lies at the forefront of oppression. You may present as irresponsible, but the bullets of your indifference cannot hide the blood on your hands" - Chris

10/08/2026

We are against state-sanctioned killings. The Eighth Amendment exists for a reason.

The anger around this case is misdirected. Christa did not botch her own ex*****on. The current attention around this case is due to the incompetence of the State.

Christa’s legal team tried to warn the State of this very outcome. Even with those warnings, the State continued to pursue this course. They administered and fulfilled the ex*****on process.

Attorneys were told she was brain dead. Does that mean Christa was legally dead?

When a person is sentenced to death, how many times do you get to kill them?

The question remains: At what point does the torture stop?

Address

P. O. Box 1742
Knoxville, TN
37901

Telephone

+18652973203

Website

https://www.cdetpush.org/

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