Long Live the Spirit of Attica
1973
Artist
Designer Unknown
DIMENSIONS
17 x 11 in. (43.2 x 27.9 cm)
OBJECT NUMBER
PH.8031
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
United States
CREDIT LINE
Poster House Permanent Collection
KEYWORDS
Attica, Black, Civil Rights, Man, New York, Political, Portrait, Protest

The central image in this poster is a photograph of Elliott James “L.D.” Barkley, taken during negotiations in the 1971 uprising and subsequent lethal crackdown at the Attica Correctional Facility in Attica, New York. Barkley was a 21-year-old leader in the uprising chosen by fellow inmates to represent the interests of those in A-block. A talented orator, he spoke to the press on the evening of September 9. He was among those who were killed during the subsequent raid. Barkley became a martyr for activists and advocates of social justice. His words would be used countless times to invoke solidarity. After his body was released to his family, his funeral was held at AMEZ (the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church), a 142-year-old institution in Western New York that had historic ties to Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass. Barkley’s original crime was cashing a forged money order for $124.60 when he was 18. Released from Elmira Reformatory four years later, he was then arrested for violating his parole by driving without a license. This infraction resulted in him being sent to Attica, a maximum-security prison.

For inquiries about image licensing, please contact collections@posterhouse.org.

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