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| Tipi on Alcatraz 1969. Photo courtesy Robert Free, Censored News |
Honoring the True History of the Occupation of Alcatraz
By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, Nov. 19, 2025
Today, we are honoring the true history of the Occupation of Alcatraz. The tipi was brought here by Robert Free of Seattle, during the early days of the Occupation in 1969.
"The tipi was put up early during the Occupation of Alcatraz Island. It remained there until the U.S. government Marshals and the FBI removed everyone 19 months later," Robert told Censored News in an interview in 2019.
"It was a place most all visitors came to rest and enjoy. It had a sweat lodge, used as needed."
Remembering those times that are now a part of history, he said, "It was the only place on the island where prisoners were allowed to grow flowers and gardens, next to a cliff with seals at the bottom."