The Stonewall riots of 1969 were the topic of discussion this afternoon when Political Science Professor Susan Burgess joined the Occupy OhioU movement with a lecture on Queer Activism.
Burgess explained and compared the Stonewall riots in New York City during the summer of 1969 to what can come from demonstrations with collective bodies.
Although she said she did not encourage any violence, the riots were a series of violent demonstrations against a police raid that took place at the Stonewall Inn, a homosexual bar.
“Like you guys, they started as a small group, but the protest kept going and kept growing,” Burgess said.
Burgess encouraged participants to continue their occupation and to believe they can only become more known.
Because of the rain, the lecture was moved to The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd next door, and about 15 people attended.
“It’s quite possibly that years from now, people will think of this the same way,” she said. “The spark for a way to see economic issues, trust and democracy in another way.”
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