The riots continue…

“Hundreds of young men went on a rampage in Greenwich Village shortly after 3 A.M. yesterday after a force of plainclothes men raided a bar that the police said was well known for its homosexual clientele.”

New York Times – June 29, 1969

Despite being torn apart by the raid the previous night the Stonewall Inn in NYC re-opened before dark on the following night of June 29, (Not serving alcohol.)

Over the next several nights, crowds continued to gather near the Stonewall, taking advantage of the moment to spread information and build the community that would fuel the growth of the gay rights movement. 

The police also returned for a second night of arrests and were greeted by a thousand plus protestors gay, straight, college students who gathered outside the tavern, and in the area surrounding it. Rocks, bottles and bricks were thrown at the cops as the crowd overturned several police wagons and lit garbage on fire. 

After being harassed and tortured for so many years, gays, lesbians, and drag queens (trans) had nothing to lose as the anger had reached its boiling point.  The cops retreated when a tactical unit arrived which could do nothing to calm the crowd.  Later that morning, according to witnesses, the streets turned still but one could still feel the electricity.

The five total days of rioting that ensued changed forever the face of gay and lesbian life.