Disneyland USA

Orange County Police Invade

Date: August 6, 1970

file: DISNEY.htm

 

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Confrontation on Main Street
News cameraman in middle-ground.


Police take Main Street
No Yippies yet


Near Entry Gate

On this day in 1970 a group of "hippies" obtained entrance to Disneyland in Anaheim California. They ran rampant over the park, attempting to claim "Tom Sawyer's Island" for themselves. Disneyland, not knowing how to handle this breach of customary etiquette, called in the Orange County Police who arrived in full riot gear. The park was closed and all visitors were asked to depart, leaving Disneyland empty except for the remaining hippies. This was the first time the park was closed early. Earlier Disneyland was infamous for its policy of refusing entry to young men wearing beards, a common practice in California and especially in some cities of Orange County. No rain-check was given to the departing visitors.

The top two photographs were taken on Main Street. The police seized control of Main Street in order to usher the crowds (and presumably to inspect them) out of the park. Behind the central officer in the top photograph a news photographer is hoisting a film camera over his head. The bottom image was taken near the entry gate.

*8.10.2000: Thanks to Scott Michael pblead@owc.net for the exact date of August 6, 1970.


Citations:

http://www.senac.com/forums/e/1000/bin/2433.html

As related by Stephen J.Morris:
The year was 1970 in the Summer. This was a protest by the "Youth International Party" to make a statement against Disney's policies against long hair and mini skirts. Known as Yippies, they managed to take over Tom Sawyers Island and raise the Veit Cong flag, while smoking pot.This was documented in Jerry Rubins book "We are everywere." I beleive it's out of print. ... They had National Guards in the park. On that day, they closed the park down -- the frist since the Kennedy assignation in 63.
=====
The story is also related (reputedly) in Mouse Tales, by David Koenig.
Paperback - 239 pages Reprint edition (July 1995) Bonaventure Pr; ISBN: 0964060566
Find it at
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Disneyland and the Museum Experience
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Function and Mission of Theme-Parks
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