ATTICA BROTHER BIG BLACK TO SPEAK IN CHICAGO - OCT.4 id MAA18828; Wed, 24 Sep 1997 12:48:22 -0400 Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit Fri, 19 Sep 1997 22:58:37 -0400 (EDT) source: Nkurshan@aol.com ATTICA BROTHER BIG BLACK TO SPEAK IN CHICAGO - OCTOBER 4, 1997 METHODIST TEMPLE - 77 W. WASHINGTON - 7 P.M. - Donation $5; all proceeds to Attica Brothers Defense Committee Attica - The Struggle for Justice Continues Frank "Big Black" Smith was Chief of Security for the rebelling Attica prisoners. When the prison was retaken the prisoners were beaten and tortured. Big Black was especially singled out for his leadership role in the rebellion. According to the NY Times, he was forced to walk over broken glass, beaten with batons, burned with cigarettes, continuously struck in his testicles, and told that he would be murdered or castrated if he let a football drop from under his chin after being forced to hold it there for five hours. Big Black nonetheless survived, was eventually released from prison, and has remained an activist and one of the most prominent spokespersons for the Attica Brothers. To be in his presence is to be in the presence of the 1200 prisoners who rebelled at Attica. Michael Deutsch has been a lawyer fighting for justice for 30 years. Among his clients have been the Puerto Rican Nationalists, prisoners at Marion, environmentalist Judy Bari, rebelling prisoners at Pontiac, and many, many more. He, along with a few others, has been a lawyer for the Attica Brothers for 26 years -- and still has not been paid. Michael has a unique perspective on the Attica rebellion and its relationship to prison oppression. Lourdes Lugo is a member of the National Committee to Free Puerto Rican Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War. She is also the niece of Oscar Lopez Rivera, one of the POWs who has been held for 11 years at the federal government's two control unit prisons -- USP Marion and USP Florence. The link between Attica and Marion and Florence is an intimate one that Lourdes will discuss in detail on behalf of her uncle. Date Saturday, October 4, 1997 Location The Methodist Temple: 77 W. Washington, Chicago, IL Time 7:00 pm Donation $5; All proceeds to the Attica Brothers Defense Committee Child Care Provided Wheelchair accessible For more information contact: The Committee to End the Marion Lockdown PO Box 578172, Chicago, IL 60657-8172; (773)235-0070 * On August 21, 1971 prison officials in California gunned down George Jackson on the yard of San Quentin prison. Jackson was the best known prisoner in the United States, an official of the Black Panther Party, and a leading member of the Black Liberation Movement. Across the United States, prisons trembled in protest. Less than a month later, on September 9, 1200 prisoners at Attica prison in upstate New York seized the main yard. In what would become the greatest prison rebellion in the history of the U.S. the prisoners held the yard until September 13. During these four days the prisoners constructed a model society, protected their hostages, and tried to negotiate with prison officials in front of the eyes of the watching world. During these four days many observers were allowed into the prison, as was a film crew which took the footage of the unfolding rebellion which would later become the movie "Attica." The prisoners proclaimed: WE are MEN! We are not beasts and do not intend to be beaten or driven as such. The entire prison populace has set forth to change forever the ruthless brutalization and disregard for the lives of the prisoners here and throughout the United States. What has happened here is but the sound before the fury of those who are oppressed. Then-governor Nelson Rockefeller refused to negotiate and on September 13, 1971, 26 years ago to the date of our program, he sent in the "law enforcement" officials who ruthlessly murdered 39 prisoners and guards in retaking the prison. Once the prison was retaken, the police systematically beat and tortured more than a thousand prisoners. One of them was Frank "Big Black" Smith (see box below). In 1973 Big Black and 1200 other prisoners sued the state of New York along with countless responsible prison officials. On June 5, 1997, 26 years after the rebellion and 23 years after the law suit was filed, Big Black won a judgement of $4 million dollars for the damage done to him after the prison was seized. Many of the other prisoners have since died, and Big Black is not expected to see the settlement any time soon if at all. Yet, the Attica Brothers and their lawyers, who have not been paid in these 26 years, continue to battle on. We invite you to attend this program. Come early and see the movie "Attica." Hear Big Black speak of his experiences on the yard at Attica and in the 26 succeeding years. Hear the account of the continuing law suit and the ensuing struggle. Support the Attica Brothers! Every cent raised by this event will go to the Attica Brothers Defense Committee. Sponsors: Anarchist Black Cross, Committee to End the Marion Lockdown, CROSSROAD Support Network, 8th Day Center for Justice, National Campaign to Stop Control Unit Prisons, National Campaign to Free Puerto Rican Prisoners of War & Political Prisoners, National Lawyers Guild-Chicago Chapter, and the Not on the Guest List Coalition. ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytrc-09.24.97-12:48:23-31883