People’s Defense Initiative (PDI) is a grassroots, community-led, collective focused on the defense of human rights in Southern Arizona. Our mission is to advance an intersectional movement that challenges structural oppression, exploitation, and the criminalization of poverty.
Mission
Core Values
Racial and Socioeconomic Justice
Social & economic justice for all people regardless of their gender, socioeconomic background, ability, or immigration status.
We reject all forms of racism and violence waged against people of color. We strive to directly address and dismantle this violence in all its forms including the five central types: Physical, political, legal, economic and environmental.
Women’s Liberation
The fight for women’s genuine liberation is one of the central components of complete liberation for all working and oppressed people. The struggle against patriarchy in all its forms is and must always be constantly part of our everyday organizational work.
LGTBQ and Gender Equality
The struggle for the rights of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transgender people is a struggle for basic equality and human rights. We must fight to expand all democratic rights to LGBTQ people for the opportunity to live and participate equally in all aspects of society.
Radical Inclusivity
We are committed to purposeful and radical inclusivity of all people regardless of their sex, gender, class, education, immigration status, sexuality, physical ability, and faith.