The New York Police Department has formally apologized for its actions during the 1969 Stonewall riot. But the mea culpa is getting flak as the police have been accused of mistreating trans people.
In a statement on Thursday, NYPD commissioner James O’Neill apologized on behalf of the police department, and said it would be “irresponsible” to not acknowledge its part in the riots.
On Jun. 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn — a club in New York City that provided an LGBTQ-friendly safe haven with cheap drinks and dancing. Homosexuality was criminalized in the ’60s and solicitation of homosexual relations was illegal. The NYPD arrested the club’s employees for operating without a liquor license and arrested other patrons for “not wearing at least three articles of gender-appropriate clothing.” Bystanders and other patrons began throwing debris at the officers, sparking a five-day long riot. The event is considered a “turning point” in the gay rights movement. Read more…
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