De-Bug believes people are stronger together than alone, and that collective action can challenge systems and institutions that oppress, while also modeling the possibility of a world that exists from our values. Our organization is part of a larger, long-standing tradition of communities of color organizing to fight for and create a society that is inclusive, liberatory, and provides an opportunity for all. De-Bug’s organizing approach is guided by the call, strategy, and vision of the lived experiences of our community. As such, we organize around criminal justice reform, immigrant rights, police accountability, racial justice, and economic justice. Our organizing and community-building work comes in many forms — all aimed at how the collective can protect, support, and lift up the aspirations of those who are part of our community. This means our organizing takes the form of direct action, healing circles, other initiatives that allow the group to support an individual's needs and ambitions. A particular community organizing initiative that was created through this approach is called “participatory defense” — a model for families and communities to impact the outcome of cases in the court system, as well as transform the landscape of power in the criminal justice system.