June 20 Toronto A demonstration and […]

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1981-06-20

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June 20 Toronto A demonstration and march organized by RTPC was held to protest the June 16 bathhouse raids. As they were leaving the peaceful protest of about 1,000 people, a large crowd of gay men and lesbians was attacked at Church and Charles streets by a group of anti-gay thugs wielding boards. When the crowd fought back, police rescued the gay bashers and then turned on the angry crowd with nightsticks. In the ensuing melee, involving dozens of people in the middle of Church Street, half a dozen people were injured and six people were arrested. The affair later became known as "The Battle of Church Street." Rev. Brent Hawkes of MCC Toronto was held and punched by a police officer. Ken Popert of the Body Politic, a rally marshal, was struck by a police car. Both Hawkes and Popert failed in their attempt to press charges. (See also October 1, 1981.)

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October 1 Toronto The trial of […]February 5 Toronto Almost 200 police […]

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Toronto

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Ken Popert Brent Hawkes

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Metropolitan Community Church MCC Toronto December 9th Defence Fund, Right to Privacy Committee (RTPC)

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The Body Politic

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Pat Zamperin and Dick Chapman, "1,000 in Gay Protest: 6 Arrests in Wild Brawling," Toronto Sun, 21 June 1981, p. 2.Jim Wilkes, "Homosexual Rally Erupts into Violence," Toronto Star, Sunday ed., 21 June 1981, pp. A1–A2 "Violence" " (photograph), Body Politic, no. 76 (1981), p. 13 "Toronto: More Raids, More Riots," Reach: A Newsletter for the Gay Community (GIRC, Calgary), July 1981, p. 5 "Thugs Attack Gay Demo with Clubs," In Struggle!, 30 June–11 August 1981, p. 6 Ken Popert, "Historic Steps: Parade Preserves Our Past," Xtra!, no. 126 (1989), p. 23 "Peace Officers They're Not: Analysis," TBP Newsbreak: Supplement to The Body Politic, July/August 1981, p. 3 "Our Anger, Their Violence," TBP Newsbreak: Supplement to The Body Politic, July/August 1981, pp. 1–2, 4 "Minister Lays Charges against Police," Gay Niagara News, 2, no. 5 (June 1981): 8 "Minister Charges Policeman," Toronto Star, Sunday ed., 28 June 1981, p. A23 Sally McBeth, "Cop Gets Off the Hook," Toronto Clarion, 2 February 1982, p. 5 Hal Koblin, "Demands for Police Inquiry Increase: A-G Accused of Singling Out Gays," Toronto Clarion, 10 July 1981, pp. 8–9 "Homosexuals Say Police Pushing Them to Violence," Toronto Star, four star ed., 22 June 1981, p. A13 "Homosexuals, Hecklers Clash at Demonstration," Globe and Mail, metro ed., 22 June 1981, p. 5 "Hawkes Is Mum on Alleged Police Assault, Court Told," Toronto Star, Saturday ed., 25 July 1981, p. A14 Gerald Hannon, "Crown, Police Help Block Assault Charge," Body Politic, no. 76 (1981), p. 13 "Gays Promised Cop Probe: Charged Improper Conduct at Rally," Toronto Sun, 26 June 1981, p. 43 "Gays Planning Saturday Rally," Toronto Sun, 18 June 1981, p. 48 "Gay Rally Turns Violent" (photograph), Toronto Sun, 22 June 1981, p. 2 "Arrest Number 338 Helps Trial List Grow," Body Politic, no. 77 (1981), pp. 14–15 "1,000 Protest Bawdy House Laws in Toronto," In Struggle!, 16–23 June 1981, p. 9 "6 Held in Rally Violence: Five Agitators, One Gay," Toronto Sun, 22 June 1981, p. 33

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"Thugs Attack Gay Demo with Clubs," […]

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