 The start and end dates of the strike have symbolic meaning as they were planned to coincide with the 47th anniversary of the death of George Jackson, who was shot in an escape attempt on August 21, 1971, and the Attica Prison riot, which occurred on September 9, 1971.It was claimed that suspected strike participants and leaders were punished with solitary confinement, removing communication privileges, and prison transfers.The prison strike was called for and organized primarily by Jailhouse Lawyers Speak and Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee, which is a prisoner-lead section of Industrial Workers of the World.