![NYC Police Dept. Apologizes for 1969 Raid at the Stonewall Inn - [VIDEO]](https://i0.wp.com/www.back2stonewall.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Stonewall.png?resize=604%2C270)
New York City’s police commissioner has issued a belated apology for the 1969 police raid at the Stonewall Inn which became a catalyst for the gay rights movement.
Commissioner James O’Neill said Thursday that “the actions taken by the NYPD were wrong” at the gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village.
He called the actions and laws of the time discriminatory and said:
“I’m certainly not going to stand up here and pretend to be an expert on what happened at Stonewall. I do know what happened should not have happened. . The actions taken by the NYPD were wrong plain and simple. The actions were discriminatory and oppressive and for that I apologize.”
The commissioner made the remarks at a kick-off event for Pride month at police headquarters.
I for one and on the behalf of my late uncle Bob Kohler, Stonewall veteran. longtime gay activist, and Mayor of Christopher Street say thank you to the N.Y.P.D.
Better late than never.
Amazing all the people apologising now for past oppression. This isn’t any doing of carrot top.
… About damn Time!?! We, here in Bflo., NY, have never received such a needed Apology about our past Anti-Gay Mayor James Griffin-&-Police Commissioner Cunningham, who raided Gay Bars here in thee ’80s.
– Griffin, who also abused his Wife in their S. Bflo. home, called us “Fruits, Queers and Faggots” on a WGR-A.M. Talk Show! The Station bowed to pressure, condemning the Host John Otto. Even Cunningham got into the act.
… Thankfully, our Bflo. City Council condemned the Mayor and Police Commissioner, passing an law protecting Gay City Employees. But, we’re still waiting for our Apology!
I, for one, is not there yet for acceptance of the apology as offered.
More importantly, Bob Kohler leader of the effort to organize after the riot. He was also an organizer of the first Pride march. The LGBT community owes this early gay rights hero much.