Gresham evacuation events, arrests and Brando news conference
February 5, 1975 - Description of events regarding Gresham evacuation. When the novitiate was surrendered last night 39 people were arrested, the rest of the Indians had escaped. Four dozen squad cars waited at the jail, supporters of arrestees chanted and beat drums. Each arrestee had been handcuffed to a state trooper at one point. Indians filed out from school bus into jail building. Soon from inside came whoops and door rattling. Marlon Brando and Father James Groppi had been in novitiate but were not arrested. They held impromptu news conference. Brando says the US government has been at war with the Indians for over 200 years. Talks about self determination, and that Indians should be treated as prisoners of war. Shonno County district attorney talks about arraignments, charges and lawyer access. National Guard roadblocks are still in position; the novitiate is being swept for booby traps.