KTLA News: "Demonstration in support of people incarcerated in Los Angeles County Jail" (1980)
Sign in to track this film in your collection or want list.
Description:
The KTLA newsfilm collection at the UCLA Film & Television Archive consists of cut and unedited stories, outtakes and fill footage, originally shot on 16mm reversal film stock with magnetic soundtrack. Some footage, particularly material not used for broadcast, may be without sound.
Title: “Demonstration in support of people incarcerated in Los Angeles County Jail.” Date: April 29, 1980.
Summary: On April 19, 1980, numerous incarcerees held in the Los Angeles County Jail refused to return to their cells after a meal, leading to an incident in which 14 incarcerees and 7 deputies were injured. Four days later, 12 incarcerees arguing for better conditions, including more time outside of jail cells, and an end to undue visitor mail delays, went on a hunger strike. In this clip, reporter Tony Valdez covers a protest in which demonstrators carry signs in support of those on the hunger strike, and denouncing the conditions in the prison. Valdez interviews a man who talks about the incident and the injuries, as well as conditions in the county jail that violate the constitutional rights of the incarcerees as litigated by the ACLU in a federal civil rights class action suit. Includes footage of demonstrators carrying their signs and chanting.
© The Regents of the University of California
Complete Record: The KTLA newsfilm collection at the UCLA Film & Television Archive consists of cut and unedited stories, outtakes and fill footage, originally shot on 16mm reversal film stock with magnetic soundtrack. Some footage, particularly material not used for broadcast, may be without sound. Title: “Demonstration in support of people incarcerated in Los Angeles County Jail.” Date: April 29, 1980. Summary: On April 19, 1980, numerous incarcerees held in the Los Angeles County Jail refused to return to their cells after a meal, leading to an incident in which 14 incarcerees and 7 deputies were injured. Four days later, 12 incarcerees arguing for better conditions, including more time outside of jail cells, and an end to undue visitor mail delays, went on a hunger strike. In this clip, reporter Tony Valdez covers a protest in which demonstrators carry signs in support of those on the hunger strike, and denouncing the conditions in the prison. Valdez interviews a man who talks about the incident and the injuries, as well as conditions in the county jail that violate the constitutional rights of the incarcerees as litigated by the ACLU in a federal civil rights class action suit. Includes footage of demonstrators carrying their signs and chanting. © The Regents of the University of California
Transcription
[Music] [Music] Maybe I'm not even [Music] Come on, you guys. [Music] Okay. [Music] [Music] Freedom. Prisoners and visitors demand respect. Right on. Prisoners and visitors here today. >> Uh, we've been here since about 11:30. We've been trying to get on the agenda for the board of supervisors. I'm not sure. >> We're not going to make it. We're not going to make it. >> How long are you going to stay here? >> Till 1, probably. >> Okay. Brian, what sparked this attack last week? >> Well, apparently it was unprovoked. It's unclear what sparked it. Uh inmates had organized a demonstration as they had several times in the past and each time in the past it had been resolved peacefully. This time an unprovoked assault by the deputies wielding flashlights resulted in seven head injuries requiring hospitalizations, 13 stitches and score of prisoners injured. >> You're making some serious charges about the conditions inside county jail. >> Yes, we are. We have uh 18 statements from prisoners that were involved to cooperate them. >> What are those conditions? Well, the conditions that they were complaining about were lack of showers, denial and delays of mail, lack of time on the freeway, the walkway outside the cell area, this continual lockdown, no TV, just the day-to-day kind of issues that culminate that come together and uh bring a lot of grief to the prisoners that's unnecessary. >> Are these nicities or are they things guaranteed? >> No, these are constitutional rights. These are things that have been litigated in a federal civil rights class action suit by the ACLU. The ACLU will be seeking uh contempt sanctions for violation of the order. All most of these things that we're discussing now have have been outlined in an order as needing improvement.
1 user has this film:
UCLA Film & Television Archive
No related films.
Original permalink · Record added: 2025-11-30 15:55:24