The person who famously yelled “Attica! Attica!” was Al Pacino’s character in the 1975 film Dog Day Afternoon. In this Sidney Lumet-directed movie, Pacino plays the role of Sonny Wortzik, a man who attempts to rob a bank but ends up in a hostage crisis.
During the intense standoff between Sonny and the police, a crowd gathers outside the bank, including reporters and policemen. In a desperate attempt to express his frustration and draw attention to the injustice he believes he and others have faced, Sonny shouts, “Attica! Attica!” This powerful cry refers to the 1971 Attica Prison riot, a significant event in American history.
The Attica Prison riot took place at the Attica Correctional Facility in upstate New York. On September 9, 1971, a group of prisoners took control of the prison, demanding better living conditions, improved medical care, and more rights. The riot lasted for four days and resulted in the deaths of 39 people, including both prisoners and hostages, as well as the injury of many others.
The riot garnered significant attention and became a symbol of the struggle for prisoners’ rights and the mistreatment they faced within the U.S. prison system. The prisoners’ demands for basic human rights struck a chord with many people, leading to widespread support and sympathy for their cause.
In Dog Day Afternoon, Sonny’s chant of “Attica! Attica!” is a direct reference to this historic event. By invoking the name of Attica, Sonny is attempting to align himself with the prisoners’ fight for justice and to shed light on the perceived injustices he believes he and others have experienced.
The quote “Attica! Attica!” has since become iconic, both as a representation of the Attica Prison riot and as a symbol of protest against injustice. It has been referenced in popular culture numerous times, solidifying its place in American history.
The person who yelled “Attica! Attica!” was Al Pacino’s character, Sonny Wortzik, in the film Dog Day Afternoon. This powerful cry was a direct reference to the Attica Prison riot and served as a rallying cry for justice and equality.