On 12/5 The William P. Homans, Jr., Endowment
of the Supreme Judicial Court Historical Society and the Social Law Library present a special screening of the documentary Circle Up. The film will start promptly at 5:30 p.m.! So come early and stay after for good food, good drink and good conversation.
“A new documentary ‘Circle Up’ tracks the incredible journey of how two Boston women have turned their grief into something positive for the community, even going so far as to forgive some of their sons’ murderers.”—WBUR
“Janet Connors’ story starts with a knock at the door. She is told that her 19-year-old son, Joel James Turner, has been killed — stabbed to death. What to do with that kind of pain …”—WGBH, All Things Considered
“[S]he forgave her son’s killer — possibly the most moving moment you’ll see on screen all year. That or the scene in which a convicted killer meets a woman at her dead son’s gravesite and breaks down in tears when he tells her he’s sorry.” —The Boston Globe
“The first victim-offender dialogue in Massachusetts…. Until that point, the State had not allowed victims of crime to meet with those who had caused them harm.” —HuffingtonPost
CIRCLE UP is a call to action for reframing approaches to crime and punishment through the lens of restorative justice, forgiveness, and accountability.
GUESTS:
Brief introductory remarks by Thomas B. Shapiro in remembrance of Bill Homans and a post-screening conversation with Director Julie Mallozzi and the subjects of the film Janet Connors and Clarissa Turner.