Indians of All Tribes commemorate 52nd anniversary of Alcatraz occupation

On Nov. 20, 1969, a group of 78 Native American activists who called themselves Indians of All Tribes (IOAT) occupied Alcatraz Island in San Francisco. From that point on, they declared the island Indian Land, and the occupation lasted till June 11, 1971, when the federal government forcibly removed the activists from the island.

Saturday marked the 52nd year since the occupation of Alcatraz Island by Native Americans, and IOAT commemorated the day at the island with prayers, music, dance and shared experiences of the veterans who had occupied the island in 1969.