Crime & Justice Film Series: Attica
Overview
Join us for a screening and discussion of Attica, a film that sheds light on the state's indiscriminate use of lethal violence to suppress a prisoners' rights uprising. The screening will take place in room LIB 121 at the J. Paul Leonard Library located on Holloway Avenue on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 4:00 PM.
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If you have any questions, please contact the event organizers: Dr. Albert de la Tierra (adelatierra@sfsu.edu) and Professor John Viola (jviola@sfsu.edu)
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The Attica Prison uprising, which occurred in September 1971 at the Attica Correctional Facility in Attica, New York, was a major event in the history of the American prison system and became a symbol of prisoners' rights and the response of authorities to such protests.
The Attica Prison uprising began as a protest against poor living conditions, overcrowding, and abuse by prison guards. Inmates took control of parts of the prison, taking hostages in the process. Negotiations between the inmates and state officials were initially underway, but communication broke down, leading to the intervention of law enforcement.
On September 13, 1971, then-New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller ordered state police to retake the prison. The retaking of Attica resulted in a mass killing, during which law enforcement officers fired indiscriminately, resulting in the deaths of both inmates and hostages. In the aftermath, 29 inmates and 10 hostages were killed, and many others were injured.
The response by law enforcement has been widely criticized for its use of excessive force and the loss of civilian lives. The events at Attica prompted significant public outcry and raised awareness about the conditions within prisons and the treatment of inmates.
The Attica Prison riot remains a historical and controversial chapter in the discussion of criminal justice, prisoners' rights, and the use of force by authorities.
Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/crime-justice-film-series-attica-tickets-797503052097
