Occupation Of Alcatraz Essay

The occupation of Alcatraz was one of the most influential Indian activist movements. It started with a reasonable request by the activist group to acquire the abandoned Alcatraz island for reconstruction of a new Indian cultural center, after the San Francisco’s Indian Center was destroyed by fire. The activists claimed that if the Europeans had the right to occupy the land they “discovered”, they too could utilize the Doctrine of Discovery to claim Alcatraz, and demanded federal government to fund their project. Furthermore, the activists took legal action and applied the 1868 treaty that gave Indian people rights to appropriate surplus federal lands. After their proposal was declined by federal government, the native tribes realized the insignificance of their voice on U.S. soil and their political powerlessness. …show more content…
Despite knowing that their demonstration was illegal, they continued the occupation for nineteen months, during which the Nixon administration attempted several peaceful negotiations in fear of further rioting. The activists stood firmly by settling for nothing less than the island’s ownership, while the administration repeated refused the possibility of a land transfer. More Native Americans continued to join the cause and the population of Alcatraz once peaked at 600. Many managed to protest with the hard living conditions and declining morale, but when armed forces raided the island in June 1971, the remaining Indian residents were forced to retreat, thus ending the lengthy occupation. But the activists were not defeated; Indians across the country were inspired by their action and organized protests at Mount Rushmore and several other