Stonewall Apology: Police Actions Were ‘Wrong,’ Commissioner Admits

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New York’s police commissioner, James P. O’Neill, apologized on Thursday on behalf of the Police Department for officers’ actions during the Stonewall riot, a seminal 1969 clash outside a Greenwich Village club that is widely regarded as a turning point for the modern gay rights movement.

“I think it would be irresponsible to go through World Pride month and not to speak of the events at the Stonewall Inn in June of 1969,” Mr. O’Neill said.

“What happened should not have happened. The actions taken by the N.Y.P.D. were wrong, plain and simple,” he added.

“The actions and the laws were discriminatory and oppressive, and for that, I apologize.”

The auditorium applauded.

“I vow to the L.G.B.T.Q. community that this would never happen in the N.Y.P.D. in 2019,” he said. “We have, and we do, embrace all New Yorkers.”

The commissioner made his comments at Police Headquarters during a safety briefing related to Pride Month, the annual celebration of L.G.B.T.Q. culture.

On Wednesday, Corey Johnson, the City Council speaker, suggested in a radio interview on 1010 WINS that it was time for the Police Department to apologize for its behavior.

Mr. Johnson, who is gay, noted that the police had previously apologized for other past incidents.

“I think it would be an important step toward further healing and reconcilation, and recognizing what happened in that crucial moment,” Mr. Johnson said.

He added that he thought it would be especially fitting for Mr. O’Neill to issue the apology during Pride Month.