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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  • PaX [comrade/them, they/them]
    ·
    6 months ago

    So this dog followed me home on a walk and I couldn't get her to go home

    She's very sweet and chill but obviously belongs with someone else cuz she has a collar (but no tag aaaaaa) and is very clean and smells like shampoo

    Gonna go back tomorrow and try to find her human companions cuz I really can barely take care of myself, let alone an animal, also 2nd paragraph

    This situation kinda stressing me out, really hope I can find her home

    • GalaxyBrain [they/them]
      ·
      6 months ago

      You probably can, once you get within a few houses, neighbors tend to recognize thr dogs they see around. Hopefully the people are cool cause some will adr like you stole their dog for the night. Had the same happen with a cat once and the people I gave him back to were dicks. The cat was nice as hell though, super friendly.

      • GinAndJuche
        ·
        6 months ago

        That sucks you didn’t get any gratitude. You did an objectively good thing there, both times. Returning a lost pet is the sort of the thing that should get a neighborhood scale triumph (grilling event in the honor of the pet finder).

        • GalaxyBrain [they/them]
          ·
          6 months ago

          I saved someone's puppo on new years eve one night and the family was very thankful and cooked me a nice meal and then found out I'm vegetarian and gave me $100 to get my own nice meal. This dog was out in the snow and getting a ton of attention from party people and I noticed we were on a commercial street and the hmnearest houses were far so I scooped the dog up and went door to door until I found the next door neighbors. The owners were gone but the dog was pals with the neighbors so it was a fun sleepover.

          • GinAndJuche
            ·
            6 months ago

            That’s awesome that they did that, but it’s more awesome you put in the work to return somebodies beloved pet.

    • GinAndJuche
      ·
      6 months ago

      Do you have a friend with Facebook/next door? (Assuming you don’t, sorry if incorrect).

      I come across a strange amount of lost animals and having a relative who lives nearby post a pic along with “found at xyz” Has yielded results.

      I know this must be stressful having a living thing in your temporary care, but you got this and if you have any questions the rest of hexbear has you. Lots of animal lovers here.

      She probably lives within a small (in terms of miles) radius lf where you found her. So if you go the flyer route, put them in a radius of where you first spotted her. I’ve also had luck giving flyers to gas station attendants and asking them post them. If the location is near the original family, they are likely to frequent nearby gas stations.