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But on the second night, the Stonewall Inn reopened and another mob formed to meet the police response. The situation got worse on the second night of the Stonewall riots.Īfter getting the crowd to disperse, police likely thought the worst of their problems was over. Reinforcements were eventually able to get the crowd under control-for one night, at least. Some were attempting to set the property on fire. The police, fearing for their safety, locked themselves inside the Stonewall Inn as the angry mob outside grew into the thousands. A number of people even pulled a parking meter from the ground and tried to use it as a battering ram. After some patrons and local residents witnessed an officer striking a prisoner on the head, they began lashing out with anything within arm’s reach-including bottles, stones, and loose change.
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Police had to lock themselves inside the Stonewall Inn to barricade themselves from the crowd.ĭuring the June 28 raid, police (who were alleged to have targeted Stonewall for its lack of a liquor license and the owners' possible blackmail attempts on gay attendees) confiscated alcohol and arrested 13 people in total, some for violating the statute on inappropriate gender apparel. But the June 28 raid at the Stonewall Inn was different: No one was tipped off. Often, these places got tipped off before a raid took place so they could hide any liquor. The Genovese crime family owned the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street, which became known for welcoming drag queens and giving homeless teenagers and young adults a place to gather. It was not an altruistic endeavor: The mob believed that catering to an underserved clientele by bribing city officials would be profitable, and it was. This kind of persecution led to members of the mafia purchasing and operating gay-friendly clubs. Commiserating at gay-friendly bars was also problematic, because officials often withheld liquor licenses from such establishments. Several laws were on the books that prohibited same-sex public displays of affection a criminal statute banned people from wearing less than three “gender appropriate” articles of clothing. Homosexual activity was considered illegal in most states.Īs a result, being part of the LGBTQ community in New York was never without its share of harassment. Because it was perceived as being amoral, individuals caught engaging in so-called "lewd behavior" were arrested and their names and home addresses were published in their local newspapers.
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In the 1960s, homosexuality was under fire from all directions. The Stonewall Inn was operated by an organized crime organization. The volatile riots that followed sparked a new sense of urgency about demanding tolerance for persecuted communities. The move was a clear condemnation by law enforcement officials of the city's gay population. That day, police raided a gay bar called the Stonewall Inn in New York City's Greenwich Village. A pivotal moment in civil rights took place the week of June 28, 1969.