Homosexuals Protest Over Shooting Verdict (Press, 23 May 1979)

On 21 May 1979, an estimated 5000 people, many of whom were homosexuals, protested outside San Francisco City Hall in response to the voluntary manslaughter conviction of Dan White for the murders of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. The protests turned violent as demonstrators smashed windows with iron bars and set fires, expressing their outrage that White was not convicted of murder, particularly in light of Milk's prominent position in the gay community as an openly homosexual supervisor. Following the jury's verdict, which was reached by a panel of seven women and five men, the crowd began to march from the Castro Street area, a district known for its significant LGBTQ+ population, chanting slogans such as "Dump Dianne," a reference to Mayor Dianne Feinstein, who had succeeded Moscone. As tensions escalated at City Hall, riot-equipped police began countering the demonstrators shortly after 10 p.m., pushing them into nearby streets and plazas. The protests resulted in a chaotic scene, with tear gas being deployed and fires breaking out. The violence included vandalism of police cars, damage to private vehicles, and injuries among protesters. Some protesters sustained visible injuries, while others sat in the street in defiance. An incident was reported in which Supervisor Carol Ruth Silver was struck by a rock. Additionally, incendiary devices were thrown into the City Hall, prompting the police to take defensive measures, including using overturned tables for protection. Mayor Feinstein remarked on the jury's decision, stating it was "very hard to handle." The citizens' outrage, fueled by the emotional aftermath of the killings of Milk and Moscone, highlighted mounting tensions related to issues of violence and justice within the LGBTQ+ community. The protest showcased the deep-seated frustrations and anger of that community, as they believed the legal outcome did not reflect the severity of the crimes committed against two of their leaders.

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