Overview/Summary:
In 1969 the police raided the Stonewall Inn- a gay bar. At the time, New York had forbidden “Homosexual Acts”, and people were arrested for being gay or serving to gay people. Police often raided gay bars, but this night the community fought back. This act of resistance and rebellion added to the Civil Rights Movement, which had already been in place for over a decade.
Timeline:
June 24th, 1969
The police arrest some of the Stonewall employees, and confiscate their illegal alcohol. The NYPD plans a second raid for that Friday in hopes to close the bar for good.
June 27th-28th, 1969
Eight undercover police officers raid Stonewall and arrest drag queens, cross-dressers, and employees. A crowd gathers outside as the arrested are loaded into police cars.
Early June 28th, 1969
A woman dressed in masculine clothes is forced into a police car, she complains that her handcuffs are too tight. Some witnesses believe that that person was lesbian activist Storme DeLarverie. The crowd begins to taunt the officers, calling names, throwing pennies, and even slashing their tires.
A few hours later on June 28th, 1969
The police cars leave, and the still growing crowd forces the original eight officers into The Stonewall Inn. The crowd uses various things such as a parking meter, bottles, and trash to throw at the officers. Riot officers arrive on scene, and the protest eventually settles.
June 28th-29th, 1969
Despite the previous events, Stonewall opens the next night. Supporters gather to protest, shouting things like “gay power!” and “we shall overcome.” The police arrive, tear gas and beat the crowd.
June 29th-July 1st
Queer activists continue to gather at Stonewall, spreading information and building community. Police officers return, but no large fights occur.
June 28th, 1969
Several hundred people march down 6th Street towards Central Park, and supporters join in from the sidelines. By the end, the parade had thousands of people. That same year, other cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Boston are motivated to organize similar pride celebrations. The activism sparked through these events will make its way around the globe.
This event is commonly referred to as “The Stonewall Riots”, but as Stormé DeLarverie put it-
“It was a rebellion, it was an uprising, it was a civil rights disobedience – it wasn’t no damn riot.”
Marsha P. Johnson (Marsha Pay It No Mind Johnson) is one of the iconic people who represent The Stonewall Uprising. She loved to be at the front of every event, and was known for her kindness and generosity. Marsha and her close friend Sylvia Rivera founded the S.T.A.R. House, a place for queer and trans youth on the streets. Sadly, Marsha was murdered on July 6th, 1992. The NYPD were unable to find the murderer, and will not reopen the case. An amazing documentary was made about her, The Life and Death Of Marsha P. Johnson.
It is important that we educate ourselves and others about The Stonewall Uprising because it is a key event in queer history. In schools, students are often not taught about things such as this, or they aren’t taught the whole story. Representation is crucial to have in history and in classrooms, and this is such a prominent event to be informed about.
Bram the Bookworm 
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