To Live as People or Die Like Men: Attica

In 1971, a group of people cast aside by the state rose up and attempted to reclaim their humanity and political subjectivity. This week, we look at the Attica Prison Uprising to see what that event might tell us about the relationship between politics, law and violence. If you enjoyed this episode: – Support Blood Work via Patreon – Leave a rating or review on your podcast app – Follow us on Bluesky / Instagram / Twitter – Blood Work is a Scam Goldin Production THIS WEEK IN VIOLENCE – Ground Zero The first in a weekly series of posts where I share recent articles that have caught my attention and some brief commentary, along with some broader musings on the nature of violence.  Available now for Patreon supporters. Our theme song is ‘Dream Weapon’ by Genghis Tron Artwork is provided courtesy of KT Kobel Sources: ‘15 Practical Proposals of Attica Prisoners’ (1971), People’s Law Office The Attica Liberation Faction Manifesto of Demands and Anti-Depression Platform (1971), Freedom Archives Traci Curry & Stanley Nelson (Dir., 2021), Attica Fred Ferretti (Sept. 13, 1971), ‘Attica Prisoners Win 28 Demands, but Still Resist’, New York Times Brad Lichtenstein (Dir., 2001), Ghosts of Attica Charlotte Rosen (May 26, 2025), ‘How Should We Remember Attica?’, The Nation Wendy Sawyer, ‘How much do incarcerated people earn in each state?’ (2017), Prison Policy Initiative Heather Ann Thompson (2021), Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy Image: Participants in the Attica Prison Uprising raise their fists during a negotiating session on Friday, September 10, 1971 (AP)