Law Enforcement Abuse

In the 1960s, law enforcement became fierce and often violent with Indian fishermen violating state regulations. Many such attacks were on Nisqually fishermen.

Left: Young Billy Frank Jr. Being arrested. Billy Frank became a leader in the fight for fishing rights and later, co-founded the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.

On one particular incident in October of 1965, State and Game officers attempted to enforce the ban against nets in the Nisqually valley. They hospitalized two adults, and injured children by throwing some into barbed wire. They stole much fishing equipment and surrounded the entire Nisqually valley, asking every Indian for identification.

read article "Nisquallys Warn They May Arm" Tacoma News Tribune Oct. 10, 1965

Attacks of equal or lesser magnitude, resulting in injuries, arrests, and the confiscation of equipment, were frequent during the 1960s.

read article "State Stealing Nets since 1960's, Indian tells Trial" Seattle Times Sept. 11, 1973

As the harassment and abuse Nisqually fishermen endured intensified, so did their efforts to change the laws that precedented the attacks.