About Us

As a multiracial group, CUCPJ has sought to expose and remedy racial and class inequities in a number of areas of life in the Champaign-Urbana community in Illinois.  Since 2004, our action research regarding the criminal justice system has achieved many local gains and produced a large wealth of material on police accountability.  These include critical histories we have connected to current cases of police abuse and the lack of transparency and accountability for police misconduct to help educate the public and advocate for victims and their families.  Services we have provided to our community include our campaign against TASERs, support and referrals for families who have been the victims of police violence (including legal support and resources for two black activists charged for a "copwatch" program), reforming Champaign county jail in the wake of several inmate deaths, and the establishment of a legal fund.

Read more about our accomplishments and activities here!

Our Mission

We are striving for a non-violent community in which community members eschew violence against others, and the police treat all people equally, and use the miniumum force necessary to carry out their duties

Our Vision

Our Values
1.  We have the right to observe & tape the police.
2.  End a legacy of overcharging & excessive sentences.
3.  Fair & equal application of justice.
4.  No new jail.
5.  Increase funding to the public defender’s office.
6.  Build alternatives to incarceration. Heal our community.
7.  Provide black defendants a jury of their peers - no all white juries.
8.  Establish Citizen Review Boards of the Police county-wide.
9.  Stop Racial Profiling.
10. No tasers for the police.
11. Stop jailing the mentally ill, including addicts.