FAST FACTS: The Brown Berets occupy Avalon

AVALON — Aug. 30, 2017 will mark the 45-year anniversary of one of the most bizarre moments in Avalon and Catalina Island history. More than two-dozen Brown Berets attempted to occupy the island on Aug. 30, 1972 claiming Catalina, along with the rest of the Channel Islands, was illegally possessed by the United States.

The Brown Berets, consisting of 25 men and one woman, reportedly arrived on the island in mid-summer and occupied Catalina for 24 days.

Their occupation of Catalina Island was more symbolic than anything else, according to a book penned by Richard Griswold del Castillo. His book, “The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: A Legacy of Conflict,” pointed out there was a popular belief the Channel Islands belonged to Mexico, not the United States.

“None of the nine Channel Islands … had been mentioned in the treaty as part of the territory ceded to the United States in 1848,” del Castillo wrote, pointing out some interpreted the treaty as not vesting Catalina Island and her neighbors to the United States.

Of course Catalina Island, through a series of grants between 1846 and 1919, was eventually in the hands of William Wrigley, Jr. and legally included within U.S. boundaries.

The Brown Berets, nonetheless, spent 24 days trying to reclaim the island for Mexico.

“During that time the Brown Beret camp became something of a tourist attraction,” de Castillo wrote. “The small Mexican American populations of the island helped provide food and drink for the Chicano demonstrators. Local restaurateur Mike Budd gave them a free meal at his restaurant.”

The Brown Berets, through their demonstration and occupation, argued the United States illegally occupied Catalina and the entire American Southwest.

“Mexican Americans were a colonized people, [the Berets] said, victims of an unjust war of oppression,” del Castillo wrote. “The occupation of Catalina ended peacefully on September 23, when the City Council decided to enforce a local camping ordinance and threatened jail unless the berets abandoned their campground.”

The Brown Berets vowed to return, but the organization was disbanded by its leader a few weeks later.

Parimal M. Rohit photo

2 thoughts on “FAST FACTS: The Brown Berets occupy Avalon

  • September 27, 2017 at 7:22 pm
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    What were the names of the 26 berets? In particular ghe woman, I do know she was one of the boys girlfriend. I met her in Las Cruces, Nm. and she told me the story, but I forgot her name after all these years.

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  • December 1, 2019 at 5:32 pm
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    In response to Michael Fierro. They’re were only 3 if is women. I’m pretty positive if that. I’ll get her name for you. My best friend Pauline and I (Della) were there for two weeks. We are from theL.A. chapter. David Sanchez wss in charge up there. You can find me on FB Adele Chavez

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