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Richard Oakes

Case from Sonoma, CA dated Sep 20, 1972

Victim Details

Richard Oakes

Male

Sonoma

CA

1972-09-20

30

Richard

Oakes

07/20/2026

Case Description

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Richard Oakes, a prominent Native American activist, was tragically killed on September 20, 1972, in Sonoma County, California. Oakes, who was 30 years old at the time of his death, was a key figure in the Red Power movement and played a significant role in the occupation of Alcatraz Island in 1969. This protest aimed to reclaim the island for Native Americans and brought national attention to issues of Indigenous rights and sovereignty.

On the day of his death, Oakes was at a YMCA camp n ...
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Links to Additional Sources (9)

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  • The Untold Story of Richard Oakes' Killing, Part 1 - KQED
  • A look back: Man who shot, killed unarmed Native American activist ...
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    Forum Posts (3)

    Hi everyone,
    I recently came across a detail in Richard Oakes' case that got me thinking. During ... ...Read More
    10/14/2024
    I'm really struck by the eyewitness accounts in the Richard Oakes case. It's deeply concerning that ... ...Read More
    03/14/2024
    Just came across Richard Oakes' story again and can't get past the trial outcome. It’s beyond trou... ...Read More
    07/13/2023
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