Mashpee nine

On July 29, 1976 Mashpee police officers raided a ceremonial encampment of members of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe at 12:30 a.m. Nine were arrested and charged with various infractions such as excessive noisemaking (drumming) and assault and battery on a police officer. The Wampanoag community rallied behind the accused men and a campaign was born to "Free the Mashpee Nine". Ten months after the raid, the nine were judged not guilty.