Criminal Injustice: Death and Politics at Attica (streaming, Academic Video Online)
n September of 1971, the infamous prison rebellion began at the Attica State Correctional Facility in upstate New York—a dramatic civil rights protest that ended with Governor Nelson Rockefeller ordering more than 600 state troopers to storm the prison and retake it with force. As a result of this forcible retaking, 39 people were shot to death—hostages and inmates alike—and scores of other prisoners were severely wounded and tortured for days. Criminal Injustice: Death and
Politics at Attica brings this historical event to life in new and startling ways. Based on interviews of eyewitnesses who waited four decades to open up and share their stories, as well as newly discovered documents, Criminal Injustice sheds new light on what happened at Attica from September 9th to 13th, 1971, and the role played by local, state, and federal officials. This film raises important new questions about the needless deaths, the White House’s involvement, and the influence of Nelson Rockefeller's political aspirations on decisions made before, during, and long after the controversial and deadly event.