In September 1971, 50 years ago, prisoners in Attica organized and rose up in resistance, led and inspired by revolutionaries from Black liberation, Native and Puerto Rican anti-colonial, and anti-imperialist movements. They were compelled by systemic racism, brutality of prison guards, and the inherent and inhumane violence of imprisonment. United, they took control of Attica prison.
This act of self-determination was met by a horrific assault by NY State Troopers who murdered and injured countless prisoners. The rebellion and the ensuing siege brought to national attention the systemic cruelty of the prison system, as well as the brutality of the police and military forces that uphold this system. The demands articulated by the Attica Liberation Faction unleashed an abolitionist imagination that continues to propel prisoner-led and abolitionist struggles up to today.
In 2021, we look to the legacy of the Attica Rebellion and remain committed to closing Attica Prison alongside all jails and prisons.
Tuesday, Sept 14: Lessons in Liberation Webinar Series Continues with Healing Justice Pedagogies
Join us next week for the continuation of a webinar series launching a new toolkit for abolitionist educators: Lessons in Liberation, published by AK Press, edited by Education for Liberation Network and Critical Resistance. Register for the event here.
New Resource: A Study Guide for Issue 35 of CR's TheAbolitionist Newspaper!
Check out this new study guide for our newspaper, made by The Abolitionist Editorial Collective. Free downloads available on our website. Please share with subscribers inside and outside of prisons.
