In what’s being described as a historic moment in rainbow history, the New York Police Department (NYPD) has after 50 years, finally apologised for the anti-LGBTI raids that led to the Stonewall Riots.
The apology which came from NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill at Pride months first Community Safety Briefing acknowledged the historical injustices that occurred.
“I think it would be irresponsible of me as we go through World Pride month not to speak of the events at the Stonewall Inn in June of 1969,” said O’Neill.
“I’m certainly not going to be an expert of what happened at Stonewall. I do know what happened should not have happened,” he added.
“The actions taken by the NYPD were wrong, plain and simple. The actions and laws were discriminatory and oppressive, and for that, I apologise. To the LGBTQ community, this would never happen in 2019.”
New York city which is hosting World Pride this year, will hold events throughout the month of June, culminating in the NYC Pride March on the 30th of June.
“As New Yorkers, we’re honoured to be the first American city to ever host World Pride,” said O’Neill.
“More than three million people from around the globe will be here to take part in this month-long celebration, and it is our job to keep every single one of them safe and to make sure they feel safe, too. And nobody does that better than the NYPD.”
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the historic 1969 Stonewall uprisings, which set off the global LGBTI human rights movement.
 has after 50 years, finally apologised for the anti-LGBTI raids that led to the Stonewall Riots.){kind=link}