Occupation of Catalina Island, Civil rights protest near Avalon, United States
The Occupation of Catalina Island was a protest action in which about two dozen activists took control of a hilltop north of Catalina Casino and raised a Mexican flag overlooking the harbor. They called their encampment Campo Tecolote and maintained their presence for several weeks.
The action began on August 30, 1972, when activists claimed that the island belonged to Mexico based on their interpretation of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The occupation ended after three weeks when Los Angeles County Sheriff deputies enforced zoning regulations to dismantle the encampment.
Mexican American families from the area brought food and support to the occupiers, while tensions grew between supporters and other island residents. The action revealed how the community was divided over questions of land rights and representation.
The site is located on a hilltop north of Catalina Casino on the island and can be viewed from the water or from the harbor area. When visiting, it helps to ask local guides or information points about the exact location and how to access the area.
The occupiers used a clever disguise to reach the island: they arrived dressed as members of a Catholic youth group, hiding their uniforms and equipment in duffel bags. This ingenious plan allowed them to conceal their arrival and begin the occupation before authorities could respond.
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