Visiting timetable08:30 AM – 08:30 PM
|Tuesday, January 13, 2026Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay, California, USA
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civil-rights
Alcatraz 1969 Occupation: Why It Matters
Learn how the 1969 Native American Occupation of Alcatraz reshaped discourse on sovereignty and civil rights, and what remains on the island.
1/24/2025
12 min read
The water tower’s red paint is not decoration — it’s testimony.
What Sparked the Occupation
- Treaty arguments and surplus federal property rights.
- Media attention spotlighted Indigenous issues nationally.
Look for interpretive panels near key graffiti; ranger talks add context.
About the Author
Alcatraz Historian
I wrote this guide to make your Alcatraz day easy, informative, and memorable — with honest tips gathered from repeat visits.
Tags
Native American
Occupation
Protest
Graffiti
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