The Stonewall Inn Police Raid Sign Tank Top, Black with White Deco Pattern

Police raids on the Stonewall Inn were part of a broader pattern of harassment targeting LGBTQ+ establishments during the 1960s. At the time, many gay bars operated illegally, often under mafia control. This was due to the societal stigma and legal restrictions against LGBTQ+ communities, forcing them to operate in the shadows. These bars faced regular police raids due to laws prohibiting homosexual gatherings and the sale of alcohol to LGBTQ+ patrons. Stonewall Inn, like other gay bars, was subject to these raids, where police would often arrest patrons, particularly targeting drag queens, trans people, and those without proper identification.

The raid on June 28, 1969, however, was different. When the police entered the bar, instead of quietly dispersing, the patrons resisted. The raid ignited spontaneous protests, with LGBTQ+ individuals fighting back against police violence. The clashes escalated for several nights, becoming known as the Stonewall Uprising. These events were not just a turning point, but a seismic shift in the LGBTQ+ community's fight for equal rights, leading to the formation of activist organizations and the first Pride marches in 1970.

This particular raid and the community's resistance are now seen as a key moment in LGBTQ+ history, symbolizing the fight against institutional oppression and the demand for civil rights.