Andy Swick
Andy Swick

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Finally visiting Alcatraz

Finally visiting Alcatraz

Andy grinning in a backwards cap on the ferry, with the wake behind them and Alcatraz Island in the distance.
Alcatraz Island from the water: the lighthouse and cellhouse on top of the rocky cliffs under a grey sky.
A long cellhouse corridor lined with two tiers of barred cells and a skylight running overhead.
A small cell staged with a paint box, a palette, sketches pinned above a shelf of books, and a coat hanging by the sink.
The dock building sign, with “Indians Welcome” and “Indian Land” painted in red during the occupation.
Alcatraz's water tower, painted in red with “Peace and Freedom. Welcome. Home of the Free Indian Land.”
The roofless, burned-out shell of the warden's house under a cloudy sky.
The San Francisco skyline across the bay from Alcatraz, with a ferry crossing and plants in the foreground.
A close-up of a bright pink geranium with raindrops on its petals.

Alcatraz has been on my to-go-to list for a long time. The last time I was in San Francisco, I didn't get to go because my ex didn't want to. This time, it was amazing to putz around, read everything, go at my own pace, and take as many pictures as I wanted.

The cell block was smaller than I expected, but it still felt like a place I'd never want to be, and it made me feel for the people who were locked up there.

I didn't know about the Indians of All Tribes occupation of Alcatraz from 1969 to 1971, and it was so cool to learn about it and see that the graffiti the protesters added to the welcome sign and water tower has been preserved for over 50 years.

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