As LGBTQ + communities this year commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall protests, organized in 1969 in reaction to the police raid on a bar frequented by homosexuals, and violently repressed by the authorities, the New York police apologize for the first times this Thursday June 6.
“What happened shouldn’t have happened, the actions of the NYPD were a mistake, it is that simple, “said James O’Neill, as the 50th anniversary of the riots approached which marked a turning point in the fight for gay rights.
“Actions and laws were discriminatory and tyrannical and, for that, I apologize, “he said at a press conference devoted to the security measures surrounding the many events organized by the end of June for this anniversary.
A key date for gay rights
Several people and organizations had called the police to apologize in recent days, including city council number two Corey Johnson, himself gay, and the organizers of Gay Pride.
On June 28, 1969, members of the homosexual community demonstrated against yet another police descent to Stonewall Inn, a famous gay bar in Greenwich Village. Their mobilization was to mark the beginning ofa week of riots and the birth of a great movement to fight for homosexual rights.
A month of June marked by many celebrations
A series of cultural events and events are scheduled to mark this anniversary, which will culminate on June 30 with WorldPride, largest LGBTQ + gathering in the world. More than three million visitors are expected this month in New York for these events, according to police.
The Mayor of New York Bill de Blasio announced on May 31 that the city will dedicate a monument to two transgender women, heroines of the fight for the rights of the LGBTQ + community and participants in the Stonewall riots, a world first according to him.
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