Tourists Yawn at Trump's Proposal to Revive Alcatraz: Unraveling the Methods and Motives
Bouncing Back to Basement cells:
SITUATED IN THE BUZZING BAY of San Francisco, Alcatraz Island offers a glimpse into the gloomy past as a federal penitentiary. The tour invites visitors to ponder what it would be like to be an inmate or guard in the isolated, foggy prison, far from city life.
But those very same thoughts haunted many tourists after President Trump declared an interest in reviving the century-old fortress, turning it into a substantially expanded and rebuilt ALCATRAZ for the nation's roughest criminals.
For a die-hard Trump supporter like Beverly Klir, 63, from Chicago, reopening Alcatraz just didn't make sense. She believed that Gitmo, the notorious detention center in Guantanamo Bay, would be a more fitting locale for such offenders.
Standing amidst a breath-taking display of pink flowers on Alcatraz's rugged bluffs, Klir shared these sentiments with her husband, looking out at the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Canada geese and their adorable duckling brood waddled by, seemingly unaware of the turbulent discussions unfolding in the background.
As they gazed at the looming prison, its prominent façade seemed more like a testament to destruction and decay, with crumbling stucco, breaking masonry, and persistently leaking joints.
Even the younger generations, like 10-year-old Melody Garcia, who was visiting from Concord with family, felt puzzled by the idea. "Much of Alcatraz is broken down and stuff," she mused.
Amid the discussions about reopening Alcatraz, the Bureau of Prisons released a statement, indicating that they were already taking steps to put the President's plan into action.
Bureau Director William K. Marshall III gave a firm nod to the proposal, stating, "We will vigorously pursue all avenues to support and implement the President's agenda. USP Alcatraz holds a storied history. We look forward to restoring this powerful symbol of law, order, and justice."
Meanwhile, California officials responded with a mix of ridicule, caution, and concern. Governor Gavin Newsom's office dismissed the proposal as political maneuvering to distract voters from Trump's actions. State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) more personally, calling it "unhinged."
However, he emphasized that when Trump spoke, he meant business, raising the possibility that Trump might be plotting a domestic "gulag."
The U.S. government had a foothold on Alcatraz Island since the mid-1850s, initially setting up a fort complete with formidable cannons to defend the area from hostile ships. Shortly after, it became a military prison, housing convicted soldiers and Confederate prisoners-of-war, as well as American Indians and World War I conscientious objectors.
By 1934, the island transformed into a federal prison for notorious criminals who had escaped from other facilities or acted out in unruly ways. Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly were renowned inmates amongst the 336-man capacity prison, infamously known as "the Rock."
Despite its imposing presence, the prison was incredibly expensive to maintain and operate, leading to its eventual closure in 1963 due to flawed construction methods and deteriorating infrastructure. Six years later, environmental and historical preservation efforts turned Alcatraz into one of San Francisco's beloved attractions. Now, over 1.4 million people visit annually, drawn to the opportunity to explore the historiccell blocks and immerse themselves in exhibitions on the island's history.
When Trump suggested reopening Alcatraz, he envisioned it serving as a symbol of law, order, and justice. However, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy – a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and supporting Alcatraz’s operations – expressed concern that the island's role as a historic landmark and educational destination already serves an important purpose.
John Kostelnik, western regional vice president of the Council of Prison Locals 33, slammed the idea for its misuse of Federal funds and criticized it as an affront to prison guards struggling with low wages. Daniel Lurie's office directed inquiries about the proposal to the National Park Service, which has yet to respond to requests for comment.
Tourists roamed the island, grappling with two pressing concerns: how feasible is this project, and why would it be implemented?
"It's not ready. It is in no way, shape or form ready," said Daniel Mulvad, 24, from San Francisco, voicing concerns about the astronomical reconstruction costs. Alyssa Sibley, 26, of Sacramento shared similar sentiments, quipping that a massive renovation would require extensive rewiring.
Tumidei Valentin, 34, a French psychologist on vacation, dismissed the idea as a terrible one. "Every day he has new ideas," Valentin lamented, referring to Trump and his endless stream of questionable schemes.
Supporters of Native American history voiced grave concerns over the potential impact on the exhibits documenting the 19-month occupation of Alcatraz by Native Americans, which awakened the nation to the struggles and history of Indigenous Americans.
Kristin Nichols, 60, from Palm Springs, who is part Chickasaw, expressed her reservations, "The amount of money it would take to do this... I would question the purpose." She added, "It’s a historic place, and if they turn it back into a prison, it’s going to ruin all the history."
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- The proposal to revive the century-old Alcatraz Island as a prison for the nation's roughest criminals has sparked debate among various political factions.
- While some, like Beverly Klir, believe Gitmo might be a more fitting location, others find the idea of reopening Alcatraz puzzling due to its dilapidated condition.
- Despite the deteriorating infrastructure, the Bureau of Prisons is ready to implement the President's plan and has taken initial steps towards its reopening.
- California officials have responded to the proposal with a mix of skepticism, humor, and concern, questioning its feasibility and potential disturbance of the island's historic and educational roles.
- The restoration of Alcatraz as a prison could incur astronomical reconstruction costs, leaving many tourists and local residents perplexed about its feasibility.
- A massive renovation could require extensive rewiring, as pointed out by Alyssa Sibley, a tourist from Sacramento.
- The possibility of reopening Alcatraz as a prison raises concerns about its impact on exhibits documenting the 19-month occupation of Alcatraz by Native Americans, a significant event in Native American history.
- Kristin Nichols, a part Chickasaw tourist from Palm Springs, expressed reservations about the potential renovation, questioning the purpose if it were to undermine the historic significance of the island.
- The suggestion of reopening Alcatraz has been met with critique from various sectors, including the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the Council of Prison Locals 33, who oppose the misuse of Federal funds and the potential affront to prison staffing struggles with low wages.
