The Sunday Epic: The Pirate Radio Broadcaster Who Occupied Alcatraz From a cold cell in San Francisco Bay, 23-year-old John Trudell became an unlikely voice for Native Americans—and one of the FBI’s most feared activists. With Indigenous Peoples’ Day tomorrow, I found myself thinking about the remarkable story of John Trudell, a young activist who took to the airwaves from Alcatraz Island, broadcasting a pirate radio show that reached more than 100,000 listeners—and eventually drew the attention of the FBI. It’s a wild, fascinating chapter of American history, and one well worth revisiting this weekend.
Thanks as always to our paid subscribers for making longform stories like this possible! The Pirate Radio Broadcaster Who Occupied Alcatraz and Terrified the FBI He sat at the same table each evening, sometimes with lighting and sometimes without, a cigarette often in hand, a guest always by his side. In the background, the sound of waves rolling against the rocks and the stuttering of a backup generator were constants.
Then, with a crackly yet true radio connection, streaming through the wires from an unthinkable place — Alcatraz Island — he began speaking in a calm, determined voice. The nation was listening. If you enjoy this story, please consider becoming a paid subscriber of Narratively.
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