Occupy Alcatraz

I must admit I never heard of this before, but I am glad I discovered this little historical incident.

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Whenever I hear about another “Occupy…” movement taking place, I think about one of my generation’s original “Occupy Actions”.

79 Native Americans boated away from the docks of San Francisco very early on November 20, 1969.  The group was comprised of married couples, young children, college students, and others.

Upon arrival at the deserted Alcatraz Penitentiary, the caretaker of the island advised the group that they were trespassing on federal land, he then guided them to the frame building that was once the warden’s residence.  The building was converted into a makeshift headquarters for the political movement.

This was the third attempt to take Alcatraz Island and establish squatter’s rights. The first effort happened on November 9th of that year when around 250 native Americans gathered to board boats at Fisherman’s Wharf.  The boats failed to arrive, so the plan was postponed.  Later that night, 14 of the Indians found…

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