Native Americans on Alcatraz, 1970

In November of 1969, about 100 native Americans, mostly students,

occupied the abandoned federal prison island of Alcatraz in San

Francisco Bay. The demonstrators demanded that the federal

government allow Indian Americans to use the island and its empty

prison for a cultural and educational center. Occupiers remained on

Alcatraz for 19 months and were then removed by federal authorities.

In February, 1970, I spent a week on the island documenting the

occupation for a national interdenominational youth magazine. This

is the first in a series of images I'll be posting from that

assignment. Your comments and critiques are always welcome.

Thanks...Bill

Honestly, the very first thing that entered my head was, 'Shouldn't that be 'You are on Native American Land'?'. Now, does that say more about me, you, or them, and the changes in language since the 70's...

I'd never heard of this incident before. Interesting. Thanks.