The White Night Riot

The White Night Riot was a violent backlash that occurred in San Francisco on May 21, 1979, after the sentencing of Dan White, the former city supervisor who assassinated Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. White received a lenient sentence of five years for manslaughter, which angered many residents. In response, crowds erupted into chaos, looting, and clashes with police. The riot symbolized public frustration with perceived injustice and highlighted issues of LGBTQ rights, as Harvey Milk was one of the first openly gay elected officials. It remains a significant event in American LGBTQ history and civil rights.