Today in history: September 9, 1971 – The Attica Prison uprising.
In the aftermath of the killing of political prisoner George Jackson in California, prisoners at Attica State in New York rebelled and seized control of the prison with a list of demands for prison reforms and an end to racism and brutality against prisoners. At Attica 54% of the inmates were black while 100% of the guards were white, many of whom were openly racist. The level of unity that developed among prisoners was nearly unprecedented.
There were four days of negotiations, until then-Governor Nelson Rockefeller ordered state police to take back control of the prison by brutal force. When the uprising was over, at least 39 people were dead and the prisoners were subjected to extreme brutality and torture. The example of the Attica prisoners uniting and standing up for their rights and dignity in the face of such intense repression inspired people around the world.
Via Freedom Road Socialist Organization (Fight Back!)
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