White Night Riot

White Night Riot. The White Night Riot was a spontaneous uprising that took place on May 21, 1979, in response to the lenient sentence given to Dan White, the former San Francisco Supervisor who had murdered San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and openly gay San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk. This event was a pivotal moment in the LGBT rights movement in the United States, with key figures such as Harry Britt, Dianne Feinstein, and Willie Brown playing important roles. The riot drew attention from national leaders, including Jimmy Carter, Ted Kennedy, and Jerry Brown, and was covered by major news outlets like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and San Francisco Chronicle.

● Introduction

The White Night Riot was a culmination of the anger and frustration felt by the LGBT community in San Francisco and beyond, following the murders of Harvey Milk and George Moscone by Dan White. The event was also influenced by the social and political climate of the time, with the Stonewall riots having taken place just a decade earlier, and the Gay Liberation Front and Daughters of Bilitis actively advocating for LGBT rights. Key figures like Phyllis Lyon, Del Martin, and Randy Shilts were instrumental in shaping the community's response to the tragedy. The riot was also notable for the involvement of other social justice movements, including the American Civil Liberties Union, National Organization for Women, and the Black Panther Party, which had ties to Huey Newton and Bobby Seale.

● Background

In the months leading up to the White Night Riot, tensions had been building in San Francisco as the trial of Dan White progressed. The LGBT community was outraged by the defense team's strategy, which included the Twinkie defense, and the perceived leniency of the San Francisco District Attorney's office, led by Joseph Freitas. The community's frustration was further exacerbated by the lack of support from local leaders, including Dianne Feinstein, who had been a close ally of George Moscone. However, other leaders like Nancy Pelosi, Barbara Boxer, and Gavin Newsom would later become key allies of the LGBT community. The San Francisco Police Department, led by Charles Gain, had a history of tension with the LGBT community, which contributed to the volatile atmosphere. This tension was also influenced by the relationships between the SFPD and other law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, which had been involved in the COINTELPRO program, targeting groups like the Black Panther Party and the American Indian Movement.

● The Riot

On the evening of May 21, 1979, a crowd of thousands gathered outside San Francisco City Hall, protesting the sentence given to Dan White. The protest quickly turned violent, with rioters clashing with San Francisco Police Department officers, led by Charles Gain and Cornelius Murphy. The rioters, which included LGBT activists like Cleve Jones, Diane Feinstein, and Harry Britt, as well as other community members, vandalized property, set fires, and attacked police officers. The riot was eventually brought under control by the California Highway Patrol, led by Mario Biaggi, and the National Guard, but not before widespread damage had been done. The event was widely covered by the media, including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and San Francisco Chronicle, with commentary from notable figures like Walter Cronkite, Ted Koppel, and Tom Brokaw.

● Aftermath

In the aftermath of the White Night Riot, the LGBT community in San Francisco and beyond came together to rebuild and heal. The event had brought attention to the community's struggles and had galvanized support from other social justice movements, including the American Civil Liberties Union, National Organization for Women, and the Black Panther Party. The riot also led to changes in the way that the San Francisco Police Department interacted with the LGBT community, with the establishment of a LGBT liaison unit and increased training for officers on LGBT issues. However, the event also had a profound impact on the lives of those involved, including Dan White, who would later take his own life, and the families of Harvey Milk and George Moscone, who continued to advocate for LGBT rights and social justice. The aftermath of the riot was also influenced by the involvement of other notable figures, such as Coretta Scott King, Jesse Jackson, and Cesar Chavez.

● Legacy

The White Night Riot is remembered as a pivotal moment in the LGBT rights movement in the United States. The event drew attention to the struggles faced by the LGBT community and helped to galvanize support for the movement. The riot also led to increased visibility and recognition of LGBT issues, with the establishment of LGBT organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. The event has been commemorated in various ways, including the establishment of the Harvey Milk Plaza in San Francisco's Castro District, and the creation of the Harvey Milk Foundation, which continues to advocate for LGBT rights and social justice. The legacy of the riot is also tied to the work of other notable figures, such as Larry Kramer, ACT UP, and Queer Nation, who have continued to push for LGBT rights and social justice.

● Investigation

The investigation into the White Night Riot was led by the San Francisco Police Department, with assistance from the FBI and the California Department of Justice. The investigation found that the riot had been sparked by a combination of factors, including the lenient sentence given to Dan White and the perceived lack of support from local leaders. The investigation also identified a number of individuals who had been involved in the riot, including LGBT activists like Cleve Jones and Harry Britt. However, the investigation was criticized by some for its handling of the event, with allegations of police brutality and misconduct. The investigation was also influenced by the involvement of other law enforcement agencies, such as the California Highway Patrol and the National Guard, which had been deployed to quell the riot. The findings of the investigation were widely reported by the media, including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and San Francisco Chronicle, with commentary from notable figures like William F. Buckley Jr., Gerald Ford, and Nelson Rockefeller.

Category:Riots in the United States