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The Attica Prison Uprising occurred at the Attica Correctional Facility in Attica, New York, United States in 1971. The riot was based in part upon prisoners’ demands for better living conditions, and was led in large part by a small band of political revolutionaries.
On September 9, 1971, responding to the death of prisoner George Jackson, a black radical activist prisoner shot dead on August 21 by correctional officers in California’s San Quentin Prison, about 1,000 of Attica prison’s approximately 2,200 prisoners rioted and seized control of the prison. They took 33 staff hostage and began negotiations with the state. Governor Rockefeller refused to visit the site and sanctioned the taking of Attica Prison by force.
At 9:46am on Monday, September 13, tear gas was dropped into the yard and New York State Police troopers opened fire non-stop for two minutes into the smoke.
In total there were 39 deaths during the Attica Rebellion; 29 of which were prisoners and ten were guards held hostage.
Prison Photography 