Wednesday, June 27th, 2012

THIS HISTORY OF JUNE 27th, continuing this week's special series to honor the Stonewall Rebellion anniversary.

Today in 1969: New York City police storm into the Stonewall, a Greenwich Village gay bar. They're expecting a routine raid. But many young men have been emboldened by recent race rebellions and by escalating resistance to the Vietnam War. They feel it's time to take direct action.

In less than an hour, the police harassment at the Stonewall will ignite a full-scale riot. The battle will rage in the surrounding neighborhood for nearly a week. Within a month, organizations will spring up across the country to resist similar oppression and to support the Stonewall rioters. The modern lesbian and gay rights movement has begun.

Wednesday, June 27^th, 2012

It’s Today’s Action Calendar!

Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center is a nonprofit in Madison that interviews alleged victims of child abuse and works to put offenders behind bars. They are looking for 15 to 20 volunteers to help promote and work their annual Motorcycle Ride Fundraiser happening August 18. Volunteers are needed on occasional Wednesday evenings this summer from 5:00 to 8:30pm, and on the day of the event for a variety of shifts. For more info, please contact Sarah at 608-729-1130 or sarahb@safeharborhelpskids.org.

The Alliance for Animals has volunteer opportunities to help animals. These might include tabling at the Farmer’s Market, distributing pro-animal literature or joining the antivivisection Committee. For details visit allanimals.org or call 257-6333.

Planned Parenthood has wide range of reproductive and sexual health services to keep people healthy, safe and strong. These include birth control, family planning, and annual wellness exams. There are branches throughout Wisconsin. Call 1-800-230-PLAN for details.

THIS HISTORY OF JUNE 28th, continuing this week's special series to honor the Stonewall Rebellion anniversary

Today in 1970: Reverend Troy Perry, Carole Shepherd and Kelly Weiser begin a fast at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Las Palmas, a scene of frequent police harassment of gay men and lesbians. They say they will continue fasting until state officials begin measures to guarantee sexual freedom for consenting adults.

Police arrest the three for "incitement to riot," a charge that will be changed to "obstructing sidewalk traffic." Perry will spend the night in jail without food. He'll leave the next day on his own recognizance to fast and sleep for the next 10 days on the steps of the Federal Building. One July 7th, Perry will break his fast by symbolically breaking bread back at the corner of Hollywood and Las Palmas.

On August 4th, the FBI follows a tip and goes directly to a farm near the town of Philadelphia. Buried in an earthen dam are the bullet-ridden bodies of the missing men. The Neshoba county sheriff and one of his deputies will be among 21 arrested in December in connection with the murder, but all will win release on a technicality.