Remembering Richard Oakes, the face of the Red Power movement

Native American activist Richard Oakes helped lead the iconic 1969 occupation of Alcatraz Island when Indigenous rights activists took over the abandoned federal prison to protest their treatment by the U.S. government.
Oakes’ unique and charismatic activism inspired a wave of similar demonstrations across the country for Indigenous land rights and sovereignty. But then in 1972, he was shot and killed in a flash of violence that cut short his life and activism.
Now, 51 years later, loved ones and investigators discuss his legacy, death and the trial of his killer, a story that has largely gone untold.
Credit: Brontë Wittpenn
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[@feedthehungry1]

Richard Oakes is a HERO and beautiful human being and it is a shame not only what happened to him but the way this country treats Human beings especially those that stand up for what is Right and Just and usually it is those who have a skin tone other than white I cannot say the i am proud of this nation or that God approves of how this country was made.

[@Aaron-i6t]

2 of my aunts were in San Francisco when they took over Alcatraz,I was in 8th grade when this happened,later I would go to San Francisco to get away from the racism that prevailed in checkerboard towns like Farmington and Gallup NM,the beautiful people of City by the Bay kindness gave me hope in Humanity and I realized that racism is a sign of ignorance.

[@Stromboli15]

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[@justbe1451]

Great video

[@MariolaVarelaCambeiro]

For me, also of his involucration with the Total Humanity, Total Beautifuly, is his voice and his image.

[@rlpittsjr]

Such a tragedy.

[@andreachung396]

Whhhhy do allll the hott activist die young??

[@UnitedNativeAmericans]

😂