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On September 13, 1971, a four day revolt ended at the Attica State Prison; where police officers stormed into the maximum security prison killing 32 inmates and 11 corrections officers.
Prisoners, whom were mainly African-Americans or Puerto Ricans demanded to be heard. Their complaints were of poor living conditions in the prisons.
Inmates were under the custody of racist guards who hated "niggers and spics". The prison was in an environment of bigoted hatred where rehabilitation was not achieved.
A class action suit was later filed by prisoners in yard "D". New York State, without admitting any wrongdoing, agreed to pay $8 million to 1,280 inmates. A settlement was scheduled for February of 1974 and a final settlement was to be reached by the end of the year.
Though this was a horrific affair, they (inmates) were able to combine their common beliefs into a politicized uprising, striking injustice, bigotry, and decrepit living conditions.
It's too bad the mainstream press and the government didn't notice, which is evidenced by the prison-system today.
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