In 1970, around 300 Young International Party members invaded Disneyland in California, settling on Tom Sawyer Island. The group hoisted the Viet Cong flag on Castle Rock, marched up and down Main Street USA and generally made a big nuisance of themselves. In response to this, Disneyland officials made the drastic decision of calling in riot police to defuse the situation. This quickly led to a series of fights between police and protestors, with some reports claiming that the 'Yippies' were subjected to unreasonable force. According to an eye witness report from one 'Jeff R', one young woman was sat with her "head split open, blood dripping all over her face". The park was closed down for the day, and many young visitors were left with the memory of a Disneyland far less merry and whimsical than they might have expected.
In 1970, around 300 Young International Party members invaded Disneyland in California, settling on Tom Sawyer Island. The group hoisted the Viet Cong flag on Castle Rock, marched up and down Main Street USA and generally made a big nuisance of themselves. In response to this, Disneyland officials made the drastic decision of calling in riot police to defuse the situation. This quickly led to a series of fights between police and protestors, with some reports claiming that the 'Yippies' were subjected to unreasonable force. According to an eye witness report from one 'Jeff R', one young woman was sat with her "head split open, blood dripping all over her face". The park was closed down for the day, and many young visitors were left with the memory of a Disneyland far less merry and whimsical than they might have expected.