“Just Mercy,” released in theaters January 2020, tells the compelling true story of Bryan Stevenson’s work on civil rights and criminal reform issues through the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI).
“Just Mercy” follows lawyer Bryan Stevenson (Jordan) and his fight for justice. After graduating from Harvard, Stevenson heads to Alabama to defend those wrongfully condemned or who were not afforded proper representation, with the support of local advocate Eva Ansley (Larson). He represents Walter McMillian (Foxx), who, in 1987, was sentenced to die “for the notorious murder of an 18-year-old girl, despite a preponderance of evidence proving his innocence and the fact that the only testimony against him came from a criminal with a motive to lie.”
The film comes at a crucial time in the nation, embattled with riots and demonstrations after George Floyd’s murder in late May.
Stevenson, a Christian human-rights lawyer who opened EJI in 1989, provides legal counsel to the most vulnerable inmates in the nation. “EJI challenges poverty and racial injustice, advocates for equal treatment in the criminal justice system and creates hope for marginalized communities.”
He believes all people in America deserve mercy and that “our justice system can still honor victims, while also removing excess cruelty from the punishment process.”
Warner Brothers will offer free access for the next month across many of the most popular streaming services, including Apple TV, Prime, YouTube and more. You can see the full list of free steaming locations and learn more about “Just Mercy” at www.justmercyfilm.com, LightWorkers reports.
The film was directed by award-winning director Destin Daniel Cretton of “The Glass Castle” and “Short Term 12.”
–Corine Gatti-Santillo