Released on December 25th in theaters, Just Mercy is a 2019 American legal drama that tells the true story of Walter McMillian, who, with the help of young defense attorney Bryan Stevenson, appeals his murder conviction. The film is based on the memoir of the same name, written by Stevenson

Recently Trellis was invited to a screening of the movie put on by The Philanthropy Workshop with a panel discussion that followed featuring the life and work of Donna Hylton and Xavier McElrath Bay

Some of our Trellis Crew came along and one shared what she thought of the movie.

“This movie was touching and very realistic in the sense of fairness towards people of color in more southern states.

The movie gave us two main characters who are made for each other. They help each other find their way through this difficult time where so much questioning is uprising in both of their lives they help each other have faith.

Bryan Stephenson plays a big role in the push to get innocent people off of death row like Mr. McMillian. who have been on death row for six years already and pled guilty before a judge and jury multiple times. Although his family always had faith in him and never thought that he was guilty of committing such a brutal crime of killing an 18-year-old white female, because he was with them the time of the murder.
All throughout the movie, the state of Alabama is trying to push and get him the death penalty anyways because they feel as if he’s guilty but there’s no real evidence saying that he had anything to do with the murder. The DA finds someone to falsely testify against him saying that he was at the scene of the crime which was not true, all throughout the movie you see all different types of people changing their attitudes because of the circumstances going on around them not all people can change so easily but with enough realization that it doesn’t take someone too long to really wake up and see the full picture. Sometimes it can be right in front of your very eyes and you might not notice it, but eventually you will see disaster and cruelty that you have missed in the past and wonder why you have not noticed it until now.

I believe that in the future sometime America somehow someway will have a better justice system that gives more opportunity not just you people of wealth but also two people who are not as fortunate people who need public assistance and welfare to also give them a fair trial any chance to start over because it’s never too late for anyone. #thrownooneaway”

— Veronica Taylor is 10th grader from High School for Human Services and Health Professions

We are getting ready for another year of our Locked in Solidarity CCDA’s National Awareness & Action Day on Mass Incarceration. Watch our social media for more details coming soon!