Richard Oakes, born on this day in 1942, was a Mohawk indigenous activist and leader within the Red Power movement, playing a prominent role in the 19-month occupation of Alcatraz Island from 1969 - 1971.
Oakes promoted Native American studies in university curricula and is credited for helping to change U.S. federal government "Termination" policies (policies regarding assimilation of indigenous people into the culture of the colonizer) of Native American peoples and culture.
In 1969, Oakes led a 19-month occupation of Alcatraz Island with LaNada Means, approximately 50 California State University students, and 37 others. On January 5th, 1970, Oakes' 12-year-old daughter, Yvonne, fell to her death from concrete steps. After her funeral, Oakes left the island.
In 1972, Oakes was shot and killed in Sonoma, California, by Michael Morgan, a YMCA camp manager. Allegedly, Oakes violently confronted Morgan, and Morgan responded by drawing a handgun and fatally shooting Oakes.
Oakes was unarmed when he was shot. Morgan claimed he acted in self-defense, and was acquitted on charges of voluntary manslaughter.
"We do not fear your threat to charge us with crimes on our land. We and all other oppressed peoples would welcome spectacle of proof before the world of your title by genocide. Nevertheless, we seek peace."
Richard Oakes
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Every now and then my dog feels the need to remind me that deep down inside she's a serial killer.
CW animal corpse
While we were out walking she found a deer leg on the ground. No idea where the rest of the deer was, if it leftover from a hunter or roadkill or a coyote pack, it was by itself.Mia decides that this is the greatest stick she has ever found. Picks it up and carries it for a bit before I realize what it is and tell her to drop it. She refuses, and starts playing with it instead.
I try to take it away from her. Bad idea, she thinks I'm trying to play tug of war and gets very excited. I try to walk away from it, she carries it with her. All I can do is wait for her to "throw" it while playing and then pull her away with her leash.