Thousands join rally for historic 50th anniversary of Stonewall uprising
People gathered outside the Stonewall Inn for the rally. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Activists and politicians spoke at a rally held outside the Stonewall Inn in New York last night (June 28) to commemorate 50 years since the uprising that began there.
New York mayor Bill de Blasio joined the rally and told the crowd that those who were arrested during the uprising were “brave,” leading the way for the LGBT+ rights movement, according to The New York Times.
He said: “They stood up and they prevailed and they triumphed and everyone here today, everyone is living a better life.”
The New York City Pride website said: “LGBTQIA+ rights and human rights are under attack by the current political environment.
“Take a stand, show up in force, and make your voice heard in this re-imagined rally experience.”
According to NBC New York, for protection heavily armed police were present at the rally and watching from rooftops, as well as bomb-sniffing dogs and sand trucks blocking the streets.
Activists and politicians spoke at the rally held outside the Stonewall Inn. (Spencer Platt/Getty)
“We must never give up, we must never give in, and we must march on”
Speakers also included body positivity activist Harnaam Kaur, owner of Pulse nightclub Barbara Poma and senator and presidential hopeful Kirsten Gillibrand.
Gillibrand said: “We are a moment in our nation’s history where your voices matter more now than ever before.
“We’re at the place where rights are being taken away, through the courts and in our media.
“If we do not fight today to be heard, with our voices and with our votes, we will lose the progress of the last 50 years.
“We must not grow weary, we must not grow tired, we must never give up, we must never give in, and we must march on.”
Earlier in the day, a Pride Live Stonewall Day event was held, featuring celebrities like Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, Whoopi Goldberg and Conchita Wurst.
