Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Kr VOL. LXII - NO. 19 University of South Carolina. Columbia, S. C. 2920R WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1971 Kunstler said 'Attica BY VICKI THOMAS Staff Writer "Attica is a microcosm of the United States," according to William Kunstler, defense attorney for the "Chicago 7." "It is a cross-section of op pression in this country," he said. "If oppression reaches the point where it surpasses human frailty, you will have Attica time and time again." Kunstler cited the possibility of the U.S. going down in blood and dust. "The U.S. has no God-given immunity from that kind of violence," he said. "It is possible for terrible and devasting things to happen here as they are occurring in Southeast Asia," he said. "Anything is possible unless good and decent people recognize that the oppression of people is wrong, evil and immoral." Kunstler's speech was in terupted briefly when part of the crowd outside attempted to enter the room through side exits. Others chanted "We want in" from behind the locked door leading to the Capstone lobby. Admission was limited to not violate city fire laws. Kunstler volunteered to repeat his speech for the crowd outside saying: "It's uncomfortable for me to know people outside want to McDowell speaking tonight Josh McDowell, international Campus Crusade for Christ speaking representative, will speak Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at USC. He will talk about "Resurrec tion, Fact or Fallacy" at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday in the Capstone Campus Room. Thursday his topic will be "Prophesy: What You Don't Know May Hurt You". "Sex And The Singleton" is the scheduled Friday topic. McDowell has addressed more than a quarter of a million students on 400 campuses and in 38 coun tries in the past few months. Preparations for McDowell's arrival have included printing 12,000 handouts and 1,500 posters, campus blackboard messages and news coverage by Columbia broadcast media. McDowell's talks span social and political problems. He is a cum laude graduate of Wheaton College. McDowell has degrees in sociology, economics and history. He received the Strauss Speaking Award of ithe Wear in 1965) Monday: isam hear something but can't because of limited facilities." Speaking on Attica and its relation to life in the U.S., Kunstler said the violence at Attica was "a classic form of rebellion in prisons." He said the revolt need not have occurred because "in mates submitted a list of legitimate reforms to New York Commissioner of Corrections Russell Oswald earlier this year." Ignored the first time, "the list was submitted again in July," he said. "One month and four days later Oswald replied that the demands were being considered but would take some time." After the initial outbreak of violence on Sept.9, the inmates took control establishing an "ongoing Athenian democracy." "The entire prison population set forth to change forever the ruthless, fruitless disregard for lives of prisoners here and throughout the nation," Kunstler said. "What happened at Attica is but the sound before the fury of the oppressed. "The prisoners have set forth a series of demands to bring closer to reality the demise of the penal institutions that serve no useful purpose to the people of America, but to those who enslave and exploit them." Of the 30 demands made, "28 of them were legitimate prison reforms that Commissioner Oswald agreed were 100 years overdue," Kunstler said. Officials balked at two demands which included the dismissal of the NX crocosi prison superintendent and com plete amnesty from criminal prosecution and subsequent reprisals for brutality. Kunstler cited time as the most important factor in negotiating at this point. "The men kept asking why so little time? They don't know what time is and don't un derstand the need for quickness. "The final order for troops to attack the prison was given by the Governor (Nelson Rockfeller) who said it was done to save the lives of hostages because negotiations had failed. "This was not true and I believe he is a murderer by any stretch of the imagination," Kunstler said. "A case has been filed against him for murder, but since he is a public official he is probably immune and won't be indicted. ' Kunstler attributed the failure of the inmates to letting Oswald out of the yard. "The lives of the guards .and inmates were ex pendable to the governor," he said. "But it is doubtful he would have let his commissioner die. "The men were living up to a strict code of honor when they gave their promise they would live up to it," Kunstler said. "All the men who have died, died in vain,"he said. "It just goes back to the demand for authority by those who society thinks don't fit and want to single out. "I guess I'm taking a pessimistic viewpoint," Kunstler said. "But I USC stud to organi Students at USC will meet tonight to form a chapter of the South Carolina Public Interest Research Group (SC PIRG). SCPIRG is a Nader's Raiders type organization utilizing student monies and Involving students In such areas as consumer and environmental protection. Student leaders at Clemson, Winthrop and Furman are in the process of, or have already established chapters at their respective campuses. A spokesman tor the statewide steering com mittee said the group has already contacted many student leaders at all S.C. campuses including nof th Kun have no faith that the people outside will understand what happened in here. "I have no confidence that my countrymen will understand what makes people act and press and demand for authority. It's the tents t ze SCPIR Carolina. He said they have received favorable responses from students, here Including Julianne Still, Harry Walker, Scott Holtzclaw, and Jim Farrell. The leaders of the group havea adtea p roposAl to exli h ucino h oraiain h ae lit forgas thae probfittaetemeol 3. haeto rofidenc that myli maespel acan pr ss and vLents ru to mev ther incluinrelinn C U.S.' Rdler same old tragic story of ep pression." Kunstler's speech will be played over WUSC-FM tomorrow, Oct. 21, in a one hour special. The station is at 89.9 and the speech will run from 4-5 p.m. eet G with an institution that will integrate the state's prob lems with their education. The U.SC Student Bar Association has ap propriated $1,000 to help organize SCPIRG. The USC Student Union has given the group an office in the Russell House. Meetings on individual campuses to plan the educational aspects of the organization are now in progress. The USC group will meet at 8 p.m. in room 310 of the Russell House, today. For further information: Dick Harpootlian, Press Liason, SCPIRG, Room 302 C, Russell House, USC, Columbia, S.C. 29202, dial 2.68.