Obama Endorses the Brutalizing of Cops

I can't help myself, it's very rare to hear a U.S. president celebrate a moment of violent rebellion against cops, or any manifestation of the state (has it ever happened before?...i'm thinking maybe the John Brown rebellion?). I am in no way deluded into thinking that Obama is even tacitly a supporter of liberatory riots, nor am I now hopeful that the man will lend his support to GLBTQ community in any real way.

I just think it's cute.

President Obama welcomed about 200 LGBT leaders from around the country, including three local activists, to the White House June 29 for a reception to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, during which the president reiterated his support for LGBT-rights issues.

Obama spoke to the crowd for about 15 minutes, encouraging LGBT and ally individuals to continue the fight that began in New York City 40 years ago the previous day, when hundreds of LGBT people fought back against a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, spurring what is considered the birth of the modern LGBT-rights movement.

Riot Art

Sylvia Rivera, Stonewall Vet by. S. Tooley


Post 'White Night Riots' Poster

Stonewall Heroes

Outhistory.org has released NYC police reports from June 28, 1969, the beginning of the Stonewall Riots. The records reveal new, exciting information about the spark that spurned the "gay revolution". Such gems include:

• the vicious participation of women who "did shove and kick" police officers
• a police officer "being bitten on the right wrist by a Stonewall rebel"
• a resistor using a rolled up newspaper to strike a officer "in the left eye" causing the cop "to fall to ground sustaining a fractured left wrist”
• Straight ally, and folk singer David Van Ronk assaulted an officer and was arrested as well

Let's give our highest adoration to the mighty Stonewall rioters on the 40 anniversary of the rebellion that flaunted to the world that queers too will strike back with demands for respect, justice and equality.