2021-09-13 12:38:28

Former Attica Prisoner Describes Racist, Brutal Treatment That Sparked Deadly Uprising 50 Years Ago

On the 50th anniversary of the Attica prison uprising, the deadliest prison uprising in U.S. history, DN speaks with Tyrone Larkins, a formerly incarcerated survivor, who was shot three times in the brutal crackdown of September 13, 1971.

He describes Attica as “the roughest place that I’ve ever seen in my life,” as he recalls what led to the rebellion on September 9, 1971, when prisoners overpowered guards and took over much of Attica prison in upstate New York to protest conditions. At the time, prisoners spent most of their time in their cells and got one shower per week.

Larkins lays out how tense negotiations with politicized prisoners followed, and says the rebellion was on its way to being resolved through diplomacy when Governor Nelson Rockefeller ordered state police to storm the facility. Police opened fire, killing 29 inmates and 10 hostages.

Democracy Now! produces a daily, global, independent news hour hosted by award-winning journalists Amy Goodman and Juan González. Our reporting includes breaking daily news headlines and in-depth interviews with people on the front lines of the world’s most pressing issues. 

On DN!, you’ll hear a diversity of voices speaking for themselves, providing a unique and sometimes provocative perspective on global events.

Missed an episode?  Check out DN on FSTV VOD anytime or visit the show page for the latest clips.

#FreeSpeechTV is one of the last standing national, independent news networks committed to advancing progressive social change. 

#FSTV is available on Dish, DirectTV, AppleTV, Roku, Sling, and online at freespeech.org.

Amy Goodman Attica Attica Prison Uprising Democracy Now! Free Speech TV New York Prison Uprising Protests Riot Tyrone Larkins United States Uprising

Human Rights and Equality

BreakThrough News

BreakThrough News | Texas Wants to "Make America White Again"

BreakThrough News | Texas Wants to "Make America White Again"

This Week In White Supremacy- Presented by 1HoodMedia

This Week In White Supremacy | Instances of Racism Surface During Black History Month - Really?

This Week In White Supremacy | Instances of Racism Surface During Black History Month - Really?

This Week In White Supremacy- Presented by 1HoodMedia

This Week In White Supremacy | Tensions The N Word Creates Amongst Black People and Reclaiming Power

This Week In White Supremacy | Tensions The N Word Creates Amongst Black People and Reclaiming Power

Indian Country Today

Indian Country Today | Tribal Leaders Speak Out Against The Washington Commanders Name Change

Indian Country Today | Tribal Leaders Speak Out Against The Washington Commanders Name Change

Related

Rising Up With Sonali | How A Yes! Magazine Investigator Debunked Allegations Against Hamas

Rising Up With Sonali | How A Yes! Magazine Investigator Debunked Allegations Against Hamas

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | Children in are Dying of Malnutrition and U.S. Only Calls for a Six-Week Cease-Fire

Democracy Now! | Children in are Dying of Malnutrition and U.S. Only Calls for a Six-Week Cease-Fire

The Thom Hartmann Program

The Thom Hartmann Program | Donald Trump's Political Grifting Continues

The Thom Hartmann Program | Donald Trump's Political Grifting Continues

The David Pakman Show

The David Pakman Show | Donald Trump's Blueprint

The David Pakman Show | Donald Trump's Blueprint

Proud Partners