Tompkins Square Riot (1988)

Sat Aug 06, 1988

Image: Protesters confront police, holding a banner which says “GENTRIFICATION IS CLASS WAR FIGHT BACK” [libcom.org]

On this day in 1988, New York City police attacked an anti-curfew and anti-gentrification rally in Tompkins Square, Manhattan, indiscriminately attacking activists, reporters, and bystanders, injuring thirty-eight people.

The violent clash took place in the context of the city attempting to remove homeless people and squatters from the park by enforcing a curfew on what was previously a 24-hour public space. The park had previously been used as a spot for rallies in protest of this policy.

On August 6th, 1988, activists attempted to hold another rally in the park and were met by a strong police presence. Protesters held banners proclaiming “Gentrification is Class War” (shown).

Although police accused protesters of throwing bricks and bottles at police, eyewitnesses agreed that the cops initiated the violence by charging the crowd. Police indiscriminately attacked and harassed all present, including the activists, reporters, and bystanders. One reporter, a black woman, was called a racial slur and attacked, the aftermath of which was caught on film.

In total, 38 were injured, including several police officers, and 9 were arrested. More than 100 formal complaints about police brutality were filed. When questioned about it, Captain McNamara, a commander at the scene, said “Obviously tempers flared. But all these allegations will be investigated.” No cops were charged with any crime related to the event.

The Tompkins Square Park Riot figured prominently in the local arts community. Poet Allen Ginsburg was an eyewitness to the police riot, and various artists have alluded to it in their work, including Lou Reed, the industrial anarchist band Missing Foundation, and Jonathan Larson, in his musical “Rent”.

On November 7th, 2004, about 1,000 people gathered in Tompkins Square Park to attend a concert held there in a yearly ritual commemorating the 1988 riot. According to the NYPD, when officers attempted an arrest for an open container of alcohol, concertgoers “surrounded and assaulted” the officers. Six arrests were made on charges including assault and inciting to riot.

• Date: 1988-08-06
• Learn More: en.wikipedia.org, libcom.org.
• Tags: #Riots, #Journalism, #Protests.
• Source: www.apeoplescalendar.org