Organizers expanding Philadelphia Community Bail Fund

Philly activists raising money to bail poor defendants out of jail

For trying to play peacemaker, Jojuan Powell went to jail. Authorities didn’t believe her claim that she was trying to break up a fight outside her Mantua home last May. So after a teen emerged from the brawl with a broken arm, Powell, 28, found herself behind bars on felony assault charges – wondering how she’d ever afford the $2,501 bail a judge set as her price for freedom.