New York's gay community had grown weary of the police department targeting gay clubs, a majority of which had already been closed. Gay people were routinely harassed by police and were often beaten during questioning then arrested for minor violations such as Jay-Walking.
The crowd on the street watched quietly as Stonewall's employees were arrested, but when the arrests expanded to the otherwise peaceful patrons and four were forced into the paddy wagon, the crowd began throwing bottles at the police. The officers were forced to take shelter inside the establishment, and two policemen were slightly injured before reinforcements arrived to disperse the mob. The protest, however, spilled over into the neighboring streets, and order was not restored until the deployment of New York's riot police.
The “Stonewall Riot” was followed by several days of demonstrations in New York and was the impetus for the formation of gay, lesbian, and bisexual civil rights organizations. It is also regarded by many as history's first major protest on behalf of equal rights for the gay community.
Today's Reflection:
Isn't it scary that doctors call what they do "practice"?
Live Long and Prosper...
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