George M. Ewing Forum: Legacy of the Infamous 1971 Attica Prison Uprising

Sunday, October 3rd , the George M. Ewing Canandaigua Forum Explores the Legacy of the Infamous 1971 Attica Prison Uprising with Memoirist Deanne Quinn Miller & D&C Investigative Journalist Gary Craig Deanne “Dee” Quinn Miller was five years old when her father, William Quinn, a Corrections Officer at Attica State Penitentiary when the uprising began on September 9, 1971, died at the hands of prison inmates. Ten other prison employees died during the riot. However, they were slain by gunfire in the September 13th seizure of the prison by New York State police, during which 32 inmates also were killed.

From the Ashes of Attica: Searching for Truths from the Nation’s Deadliest Prison Uprising presents Ms. Quinn Miller’s lifelong search for the truth about what actually happened at Attica on those five September days, and during the corrupt cover-up by state authorities that followed. The event begins at 4:00 p.m. on October 3 at the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center (FHPAC) in Canandaigua. FHPAC is located on Fort Hill Avenue at the corner of North Main Street and features ample free parking.

Ms. Quinn Miller’s words and experience are deeply moving – pain, persistence, horror, racial reconciliation – leading to the creation of Forgotten Victims of Attica, an organization spearheaded by Ms. Quinn Miller, which was eventually awarded $1.2 million in restitution by the state. Her journey has now culminated in the release of a new memoir, co-written with Rochester Democrat & Chronicle Investigative Reporter Gary Craig, entitled The Prison Guard’s Daughter: My Journey Through the Ashes of Attica.

Gary Craig, a reporter with the D&C since 1990, has written extensively about Attica since the 2000 court settlement with inmates brutalized after the retaking of the prison. He is the author of the highly
regarded “Seven Million”, the story of Rochester’s infamous Brink’s heist. His sparkling career with the D&C includes many ground-breaking stories about the Rochester region’s critical issues and the corruption or government inertia that often surrounds them. WXXI radio host Evan Dawson will be moderator for this event. Audience questions will be collected for responses by Ms. Quinn Miller and Mr. Craig. Patrons will be able to purchase their book at the event
(cash only).
Individual tickets are priced at $25. Season tickets for all remaining 2021-22 events are also available. FHPAC offers excellent seating both on its main floor and in a mezzanine. Visit FHPAC.org or call 585- 412-6043 for ticket information and purchases. Visit the Canandaigua Forum website at gmeforum.org or call 585-313-8443 for a link to tickets and more information on each program.

Also coming to the Forum this season:
– November 7, 2021 – Going to Mars! What on Earth For? with Dava Newman, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Professor of Astronautics, former NASA Deputy Administrator, and principal investigator of
four manned spaceflights. A champion of sending humans to the Red Planet, Professor Newman will explain everything we have to gain from this epic quest. Moderator: Michael Winship.
– January 30, 2022 – The 10,000 Light Year View: Climate Change, the Human Future & the Possibilities of Extraterrestrial Life with University of Rochester astrophysicist Adam Frank. Author of three
remarkable books on the stars, cosmology, and the intersection of religious and scientific debate, Dr. Frank describes himself as an “evangelist for science.” He’s also a ton of fun! Moderator: Evan Dawson.

The Forum’s 10th Anniversary Season is made possible with the generous support of principal underwriters Canandaigua National Bank & Trust Company, Wegmans and the George M. Ewing Family, as well as significant contributions from the Forum’s many individual sponsors.

A Note on the Pandemic: All attendees must wear a mask to help ensure the health and safety of the audience. The Forum will be in adherence with whatever CDC and NYSDOH COVID guidelines are in effect at the time of the event. If it becomes necessary to once again impose social distancing inside the auditorium, ticket holders choosing not to attend an event can contact FHPAC to discuss a refund.

DETAILS:
Sunday, Oct. 3, 4PM
From the Ashes of Attica, with Deanne Quinn Miller & Gary Craig
Fort Hill Performing Arts Center, 20 Fort Hill Ave., Canandaigua
Box Office 585-412-6043
Event tickets $25, Students $10 with ID at the door
3-Event Season Tickets $60
For more information and a link to purchase tickets, visit GMEForum.org