In a forum on Thursday, April 22, surviving hostages of the 1971 Attica uprising and retaking of the prison will speak about their experiences.
Eleven New York State Corrections employees were killed by New York State trooper gunfire in the retaking of the Attica State Correctional Facility in 1971.
Thursday's forum will take place in Textor 103 at 7:30 p.m. Panelists include family members of hostages, a retired corrections counselor, a union representative, and the lawyer for the Forgotten Victims of Attica (FVOA). The panelists will examine the significance of the prisoner revolt and retaking of the prison. They will also share their efforts to gain recognition for the FVOA.
The forum is the final event in a two-part series titled "Violence from the Walls." The first forum presented perspectives of former prisoners and their attorneys. These discussions are part of a research project by Ithaca College politics majors Matthew Davies and Michael Wier. They are sponsored by the sociology and politics departments and the School of Humanities and Sciences Honors Program.
Biographical information about the panelists:
Gary Horton, Esq. is the chief public defender in Genesee County and has been a pro bono legal advisor to FVOA since its formation in 2000.
Deanne Quinn Miller is the daughter of slain corrections officer William E. Quinn, who was beaten by inmates on September 9 and died of those injuries on September 11, 1971. He was the only guard to be killed by inmates during the riot.
G.B. Smith is a surviving hostage of the 1971 Attica riot. He was held for 5 days in D yard. G.B. retired after 33 years with the Department of Corrections.
Sgt. Mark Cunningham is the son of Sgt. Edward Cunningham, a corrections officer slain during retaking of Attica prison September 13, 1971. Mark is currently a sergeant at Attica Correctional Facility and has worked for the Department of Corrections for 21 years.
Joseph Green is a lieutenant at Gowanda Correctional Facility and a business agent for New York State Corrections Officers Police Benevolent Assoc. (NYSCOPBA) since 1999. He participates in the FVOA group.
Frank Randazzo is a retired corrections counselor from Auburn Correctional Facility. He is an outspoken spokesperson and supporter of FVOA.
For more information, please contact mwier1@ithaca.edu or mdavoes1@ithaca.edu.
Contributed by Beth Harris
