In 1964, the U.S. had declared Alcatraz Island to be federal property which resulted in the upset of many Red Power activists who soon after believed the island qualified for a reclaimation. On March 8, 1964, 79 members of the Sioux tribe set out to occupy the island as a way of reclaiming it as their own. Although many of the members were stopped by the Coast Guard, fourteen members managed to sneak through. The members occupied the island for four hours. These demonstrations continued for thirteen months (November 20, 1969- June 11, 1971).