New Docuseries Reveals Secret Meeting Between Pro-Life and Pro-Choice Leaders

Nearly 30 years ago, six leaders who represented the pro-life and pro-choice movement met in a windowless basement. These meetings came on the cuff of the aftermath of shootings that took place at two abortion facilities in the Boston Brookline area by John Salvi.

The goal of these clandestine meetings was to open dialogue with each side on the issue of abortion. These six leaders would eventually develop an understanding of each other, and the issues and more importantly develop friendships that continue to this day.

Their dialogue was organized by the Public Conversations Project, known today as Essential Partners (EP), a nonprofit dedicated to helping people “build relationships across differences to address their communities’ most pressing challenges.” Together with mediator Susan Podziba, EP co-founder Laura Chasin designed and facilitated the conversations.

The revelation of these meetings was revealed in a piece published by The Boston Globe called “Talking with the Enemy.”

The accounts of these meetings were released in a Docuseries that is available called “The Basement Talks” available through Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play from production company Matters Media.

View the trailer here