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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  • SSJ2Marx
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    edit-2
    6 months ago

    aww, my husky's barking in her sleep comfy I bet she's dreaming about catching a squirrel.

    • ElGosso [he/him]
      ·
      6 months ago

      Is she doing the little "borfs" and "boofs?" Mine does that too, I always love it.

      • SSJ2Marx
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        6 months ago

        Yup and kicking her feet in a "running" motion.

    • Commiejones [comrade/them, he/him]
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      6 months ago

      I feel bad for my puppo when he barks in his sleep. When he is awake he only barks when he is stressed like when he hears guns shooting or if strangers or their cars are on his land. (He is a very good boy.) So if he is barking in his dreams I think he is probably not having happy dreams.