December 9–22 Toronto On December 9, […]

When

1978-12-09 – 1978-12-22

Description

December 9–22 Toronto On December 9, 1978, policemen raided the Barracks baths (56 Widmer Street) and arrested twenty-eight men. Twenty-three of the men were charged with being found-ins in a common bawdy house, and five with keeping a common bawdy house. George Hislop, president of CHAT, was one of the men charged as a keeper. About twenty policemen participated in the raid, and used hammers and crowbars to smash in doors and open lockers. Police also seized the 800-name membership list for the Barracks, as well as membership cards. This is believed to be the first organized assault by police on a gay bathhouse in Toronto's history. On December 11, about 400 people attended a community meeting held at the 519 Church Street Community Centre to discuss options for an organized action against the police raid. A press conference was held December 12, and on December 16, 400 people marched from the 519 Church Street Community Centre to Toronto City Hall for a rally, which was addressed by Alderman Dan Heap, Tim McCaskell of the Body Politic, Rev. Brent Hawkes of MCC, and others. On December 12, the accused men appeared in provincial court before Judge Jack Climans, pleaded not guilty, and were remanded. On December 22, the December 9th Defence Fund was formalized, with Michael Laking as chair and Rev. Brent Hawkes as treasurer. The fund hoped to raise up to $100,000 to help cover the legal expenses of the owners and found-ins. (See also December 18, 1978; January 22, 1979; March 5, 1979; June 2, 1979; July 6, 1979; October 29, 1979; November 19, 1979; November 28, 1979; December 10, 1979; January 4, 1980; February 26, 1980; April 8, 1980; June 4, 1980; September 8, 1980; November 17, 1980; February 5, 1981; March 16, 1981; March 20, 1981; March 30–April 21, 1981; April 2, 1981; April 22, 1981; April 23, 1981; May 1981; May 4, 1981; June 12, 1981; June 23, 1981; October 15, 1981; November 20, 1981; and December 11, 1981.)

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