March Links Appeal for Racial Justice to Fight for Gay Rights

06/29/2020 Business, Sports


A peaceful demonstration on the streets of downtown Atlanta on Sunday linked continued protests of racial injustice and police brutality to a historic uprising for the gay rights movement.

A crowd of more than 100 people increased to nearly 150 as they marched from Atlantic Station to Atlanta’s historic LGBTQ community center at 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue, in what became a party to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the riots from Stonewall.

The June 28, 1969 uprising followed a New York City police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay club, and led to days of protests and clashes with police that fueled the gay rights movement in the U.S.

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The Midtown rally was one of several demonstrations on Sunday throughout the Atlanta subway, including in Marietta, East Cobb, and downtown Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park.

Protesters said they embraced the Black Lives Matter movement and called for police reform. Demonstrations have spread across Atlanta and other US cities since the death of Memorial Day by George Floyd, a black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis.

Several people who attended Sunday’s demonstration said the movements are part of the same fight for life and freedom.

“It is important to show solidarity with our brothers and sisters as they celebrate the 51st anniversary of the Stonewall Riots,” said Gerald A. Griggs, attorney and NAACP vice president of Atlanta. “Their struggle is our struggle”.

They stopped in front of the Woodruff Arts Center for speeches and a 51-second moment of silence, one second for each year since the Stonewall uprising.

Antonio Newell from Atlanta thanked the crowd for showing up.

"It means that you are advocating change," he said. "It means that you are fighting for self-preservation."

During the last blocks, the group marched silently, hands up, to honor LGBTQ people who have lost their lives.

But when they reached the intersection of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue, with their rainbow crossings, the march turned into a party, complete with a DJ.

Rashad 'Boone from Atlanta arrived at the march with her husband, Gary Kirkland Jr. Dancing with abandon at the crosswalk, drawing cheers from the crowd.

"I have seen our culture change," he said. "I am very proud. I am so happy."