DETAILS: Original vintage pinback button issued by the Stonewall Contingency. Circa 1979.  Measures 2 1/4" inches.


The White Night Riots were a series of violent events sparked by an announcement of a lenient sentencing of Dan White for the assassinations of George Moscone, the mayor of San Francisco, and of Harvey Milk, a member of the city's Board of Supervisors who was one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States. The events took place on the night of May 21, 1979, in San Francisco. Earlier that day White had been convicted of voluntary manslaughter, the lightest possible conviction for his actions. The lesser conviction outraged the city's gay community, setting off the most violent reaction by gay Americans since the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City.

After the riot many of those charged in the incitement organized themselves into the Stonewall Contingent (SC). The contingent first appeared at the regular meeting of the city’s Police Commission held just days after the riot, where discussion of the riot was not a scheduled item on the agenda. The group called for dropping the investigation (and all charges filed as a result of it) for those arrested as well as an investigation into police brutality towards the peaceful demonstrators. They followed up with picketing outside of the judge who sentenced Milk's accuser to the lesser charges. The group quickly gained a reputation as among the most militant gay activist groups fighting for homosexual rights.

GUARANTEE: We offer a lifetime guarantee on all of our items to be authentic originals issued by the organization stated. They are not later re-issues or reproductions. We forensically examine all of our items prior to listing to make certain they are authentic. 

Oxxbridge Galleries was founded in 1987 and specializes in vintage paper items with a particular focus on counter culture and progressive materials. We are one of the few retailers in the country that regularly deals in such items. We are always adding to our online inventory. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. You will be pleased by the friendliness and knowledge of our staff.