Scene and Heard Film Series Presents
Taking Alcatraz

Nov 20, 2019, marks the 50th Anniversary of the Peaceful Occupation of Alcatraz (November 20, 1969, to June 11, 1971). This occupation was a nineteen-month long protest, where 89 American Indians and their supporters occupied Alcatraz Island. The protests principle organizer was Adam Fortunate Eagle, and the occupation was led by Richard Oakes, LaNada Means, and others; John Trudell was the spokesperson. This group lived on the island together until the protest was forcibly ended by the U.S. government.

Alcatraz Island is located in the San Francisco Bay, in Ohlone Territory. The Ohlone Tribe has members from around the San Francisco Bay Area, and is composed of descendants of the Ohlones/Costanoans from the San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco missions. Indian Canyon is the only federally recognized “Indian Country” between Sonoma and Santa Barbara, and has been sacred land and home for Ohlone/Costanoan people for thousands of years.

 

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The Scene and Heard Film Series is generously funded by: