28 Days of Black Liberation 2025 series
Between Oct 1970 and the Attica Rebellion Sept 1971 the carceral system of NY was shaken by a series of escalating rebellions where incarcerated rebels fought back, captured hostages, communicated revolutionary ideas and vision, developed organization, and participated in abolitionist world building in ways that forshadowed what took place at Attica. In each case the mainstream version of events focuses on a disturbance around conditions. But Burton details how it was something much more powerful.
Cointelpro was underway and massive repression was directed toward the Black Panther Party and others. By the end of 1969 – 749 Panthers had been arrested, and 24 had been killed by police. This push to quell the violence in the street ended up pushing the struggle into the jails and prisons.
August 1970 inmates on the 9th floor of the Tombs, took hostages and demanded an audience with authorities. In exchange for their grievances being published in the New York Times the hostages were released unharmed. Inspired by this the next day the rebellion inside the tombs spread throughout the facility – with inmates controlling partially liberated space for ten days. Eventually the rebellion was crushed and many of the leaders were transferred to Branch Queens. The site of the next rebellion.
Kuwasi Balagoon, Panther 21 Defendant and member of the Black Liberation Army was one of the leaders of the Branch Queens rebellion – which he labelled “turnabout day”. Oct 1970 captives seized control of the facility – taking guards hostage and uncaged the entire population. They elected leaders and held a press conference within the jail. This inspired another wave of jail takeovers – leading to three facilities being under self rule by 1400 inmates. At Branch Queens the rebels were able to negotiate bail hearings within the jail that resulted in many inmates having bail reduced and being released. The jails were eventually taken by force by the authorities – but the rebels continued to be dispersed throughout the carceral system taking their revolutionary ideas, resolve, and lessons into each new terrain. Many were transferred to Auburn prison, and eventually Attica.
