Native American occupation of Alcatraz ends, Part II

KPIX-TV news footage from June 11, 1971 with reporter Belva Davis featuring scenes from Alcatraz island, where native American activists have just been removed by armed Federal authorities. Includes views of the island and of activists under protective custody being escorted off a bus in San Francisco at the Senator Hotel. U.S. Attorney for Northern District of California James L. Browning, Jr. justifies their actions by stating the occupation: "Was an intolerable situation that could not go on indefinitely." At a separate meeting American Indian spokesman John Trudell argues: "The significant thing that's been accomplished by Alcatraz is ... we never sold ourselves out. We never compromised. We went for the whole cup cake ... We're bringing people to our side. There's a lotta Indians aren't gonna like this." When asked by a reporter if the Indians will now finally accept "defeat," Trudell laughs and exclaims: "Defeat! No man, there's no such thing as defeat. You know. When they start kickin' you around you just gotta learn to bandage up the bruises and stand up again. They didn't beat us." Also includes views from the island shot on several different dates before the removal. Opening graphic designed by Carrie Hawks.

This 16mm reversal print was re-scanned in 4K (4096 x 2970) using a Lasergraphics ScanStation film scanner, in October 2024.