Clemency

“Just so you know, I am going to fight for his right until the very moment you stick that needle in his arm.” - Attorney for death-row prisoner, Clemency

Capital punishment has long stirred heated debate on its morality, its effect on criminal behavior, and its bias as a disproportionate punishment for defendants who are poor, marginalized, black or brown.

In Clemency, Winner of the 2019 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize for U.S. Dramatic Film, director and writer Chinonye Chukwu explores the high price the death penalty exacts on those who must execute the order. Years of carrying out death row executions have taken a toll on prison warden Bernadine Williams (Alfre Woodard). Memories of a recently botched execution plague her daily. As she prepares to execute another inmate, Bernadine confronts the psychological and emotional demons her job creates, ultimately connecting her to the man she is sanctioned by the state to kill.

On Wednesday, December 18, join New America NYC and the NYC Bar Association Committee on Capital Punishment at Betaworks Studios for a special preview screening of Clemency and a conversation with some of the country’s most respected policy reform advocates that takes a critical look at the death penalty and asks: is it ethical, is it an effective deterrent, or should it be repealed and eliminated?

PARTICIPANTS

George Kendall
Death Penalty and Civil Rights Lawyer
Director, Squire Patton Boggs Public Service Initiative

Kate McMahon @katefaymcmahon1
Chair, Committee on Capital Punishment, NYC Bar Association

Five Mualimm-ak @MRFIVEINC
Human Rights Advocate, Formerly Incarcerated
Executive Director, Incarcerated Nation Corp.

Christina Swarns @ChristinaSwarns
Attorney-in-Charge, Office of the Appellate Defender, NYC

Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors will open to a reception at 6:00 p.m., with the screening beginning promptly at 6:30 p.m..

Follow the conversation online with @clemencythefilm and @NewAmericaNYC.

This program was produced in partnership with the NYC Bar Association Committee on Capital Punishment.