Tools of Restorative Justice: Roots, Branches, and Seeds of Restorative Justice in Philadelphia 

Mellon Symposium 2025

Organized by Xerxes Minocher

In demands for collective liberation, restorative justice (RJ) often takes on an important position for the kind of worlds we want to build. But many questions remain around what that can look like. Bringing together a range of RJ practitioners across the Philadelphia region, this symposium explores where restorative justice comes from (its roots), how it has been developing in our city (its branches), and what it can look like in the future (its seeds), all in the hopes of clarifying what alternatives are possible. Join us for a day of speakers, panels, workshops, free food, and an art gallery showing to explore and share your and others’ understandings of restorative justice in Philadelphia. Together we can continue building the worlds we want to see, where restoration and transformation are not just imagined, but possible and happening. All are welcome, and feel free to come for portions or the whole day!