There are stories that grip us to our core and this case is one that has gripped me for years. It is the story of a man who fought to get where he ended up, not for himself, but for the people who he was fighting for. It is also about a man with the same ideals and hand in hand they changed the world as we know it. Their lives were cut short but their stories live on and their legacy will never die. This is also one of the strangest of outcomes when it was tried in court. An angry white man with a vendetta. He created his chaos and acted on impulse with no regard for anything but revenge. Let's get on with introducing the individuals we will be discussing.
Harvey Milk: (May 22nd 1930-November 27th 1978) Harvey Milk was a gay rights activist who moved to San Francisco in hopes of finding a place where he could make a difference and that he did. After running three times for city supervisor and failing but only by a smaller margin each time, he never gave up. The decision was made to redistrict the supervisor race and so he ran for the fourth time and won. He became the first openly gay elected official in California. He was a man who cared about the minorities not just the gay community but all people who fell into those groups. He was a visionary and my standards he was a hero. He fought valiantly for the rights of the gay community. He spoke out and organized a pride parade in the face of those who opposed them. He worked hard to make a difference. He was so much more than I can I put into words but I will definitely say I wish I could have known him. I have so much respect for him and what he stood for. His legacy lives on forever.
Mayor George Moscone: (November 24th 1929-November 27th 1978) Mayor Moscone was a man who cared about equality. When he took office his goal was to open the city to the minorities that hadn't had a voice. He became the people's mayor. He invoked inclusion in the police force. Being an advocate for minorities he provided jobs for many within San Francisco. He spoke out against Proposition 6 or otherwise known as "The Briggs Initiative." This initiative stated that any teacher who was gay or supported the gay lifestyle would be fired. He and Harvey also promoted a gay rights ordinance that stated that a person could not be discriminated against due to their sexual identity. That would protect them from being evicted or fired. This ordinance was passed in 1978. He worked hand in hand with Harvey Milk to bring about change in San Francisco. My belief is that they opened the door for change across America.
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| Photo By Daniel Nicoletta |
Harvey Milk: (May 22nd 1930-November 27th 1978) Harvey Milk was a gay rights activist who moved to San Francisco in hopes of finding a place where he could make a difference and that he did. After running three times for city supervisor and failing but only by a smaller margin each time, he never gave up. The decision was made to redistrict the supervisor race and so he ran for the fourth time and won. He became the first openly gay elected official in California. He was a man who cared about the minorities not just the gay community but all people who fell into those groups. He was a visionary and my standards he was a hero. He fought valiantly for the rights of the gay community. He spoke out and organized a pride parade in the face of those who opposed them. He worked hard to make a difference. He was so much more than I can I put into words but I will definitely say I wish I could have known him. I have so much respect for him and what he stood for. His legacy lives on forever.
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| Photo by John Giosso obtained through San Francisco History Library |
Mayor George Moscone: (November 24th 1929-November 27th 1978) Mayor Moscone was a man who cared about equality. When he took office his goal was to open the city to the minorities that hadn't had a voice. He became the people's mayor. He invoked inclusion in the police force. Being an advocate for minorities he provided jobs for many within San Francisco. He spoke out against Proposition 6 or otherwise known as "The Briggs Initiative." This initiative stated that any teacher who was gay or supported the gay lifestyle would be fired. He and Harvey also promoted a gay rights ordinance that stated that a person could not be discriminated against due to their sexual identity. That would protect them from being evicted or fired. This ordinance was passed in 1978. He worked hand in hand with Harvey Milk to bring about change in San Francisco. My belief is that they opened the door for change across America.
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| Source unknown |
Dan White (September 2, 1946-October 21, 1985) Dan white was a former police officer who won his supervisor seat at the same time as Harvey. His district was mostly populated by whites who were against the gay lifestyle. Dan wavered on his views but I personally feel he shared the views of his district. Although he did oppose The Briggs Initiative. He also voted against the gay rights ordinance. The biggest issue in his district was a rehabilitation center for juvenile offenders to be placed there. He didn't support this idea. He asked Harvey to vote against it. Harvey was in favor of the facility and chose not to vote against it. He never really fit into to the city hall atmosphere. He had several disagreements with other supervisors. He had taken a pay cut to fill his seat. He decided he would resign as supervisor. He did this on November 18th 1978. His district wanted him to reclaim his seat and he immediately regretted his decision. He went to Mayor Moscone and asked for his seat back. The Mayor, as well as Harvey and other supervisors did not want him reappointed. So the mayor decided against it.
The Assassinations: On November 27th 1978 Dan White went to the city hall and entered the building through a first floor window. He was armed with a .38 caliber revolver and 10 rounds of ammunition. He went to see Mayor Moscone to plead for his job back. The mayor declined to give it to him. He pulled out the revolver and shot Moscone four times. Once in the shoulder, once in the chest and twice in the head. Then turned and went to Harvey's office but not before reloading. He confronted Harvey and shot him five times. It is believed that the last two shots were with the barrel against Harvey's head. Then he turned himself in to police.
After the assassinations: Thousands of people gathered in the streets for a candlelight march in Harvey and Mayor Moscone's honor. This was a time of grieving and a time for shock. These two men with so much left to give had their lives stolen. In the stillness of that night I imagine the feeling was numbness and utter disbelief. Today I feel that even though they are gone their legacy will live on forever. Their work is still being completed. They drew a map for all of the people after them to follow. So much has been accomplished in the years that have passed but there is always more to do.
The story is not done though. There is more to tell. So let us continue.
The Trial: Talking about the deck stacked against the dead this trial was the biggest bunch of bullshit I have ever been inclined to learn about. The Jury box was filled with only white jurors. Not one person of the minority was represented. There were jurors who cried listening to Dan's confession, not for the victims but for Dan himself. Oh but it gets better.. The defense team used the craziest defense possible. They presented "The Twinkie Defense." They claimed that Dan was depressed and hyped up on sugar from eating twinkies and that he wasn't thinking clearly. Also, due to his history in the police force he was trained to bring extra ammunition. Oh and the fact he broke in the window instead of walking through the door didn't mean he premeditated the crime at all. (He broke in a place with a .38 caliber handgun and 10 rounds of ammo and reloaded before shooting Harvey. I call bullshit. This was planned and executed.) Then it went to the jury.
The verdict: The jury deliberated for 36 hours and came back with the verdict of voluntary manslaughter. They sentenced him to 7 years and 8 months in jail. This man deserved a harsher verdict and a harsher punishment.
The White Night Riots: There was no justice in the verdict. There was no fairness to the ones grieving this enormous loss. The anger took over and what resulted was utter chaos. They took to the street and wreaked havoc. They were angry and with just reason. They set police cars on fire and threw rocks and honestly I don't blame them. Grief is powerful, you couple that with the fact that you feel like the one person you had in your corner is gone forever. The one who spoke out and fought for you to have a voice has been silenced. The human mind can only endure so much. I will say this, that damage can be replaced and fixed. Harvey and Mayor Moscone can't be replaced.
Dan served 5 years in prison and when he was released he committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. In my opinion he was just purely toxic. Does it make me a bad person that no tears I shed for his decision to end his own life? I feel no sympathy for him at all. I have shed tears over the lives he took and I never knew them but my heart somehow feels like I did. I guess because I stand for alot of the same things they did. I believe everyone deserves a voice. Everyone deserves to live their truth and I will always fight for someone who has been demonized for being who they are.
Hope you all enjoyed this story. I will be posting another one next week. I plan to post one every Saturday if at all possible.
The Assassinations: On November 27th 1978 Dan White went to the city hall and entered the building through a first floor window. He was armed with a .38 caliber revolver and 10 rounds of ammunition. He went to see Mayor Moscone to plead for his job back. The mayor declined to give it to him. He pulled out the revolver and shot Moscone four times. Once in the shoulder, once in the chest and twice in the head. Then turned and went to Harvey's office but not before reloading. He confronted Harvey and shot him five times. It is believed that the last two shots were with the barrel against Harvey's head. Then he turned himself in to police.
After the assassinations: Thousands of people gathered in the streets for a candlelight march in Harvey and Mayor Moscone's honor. This was a time of grieving and a time for shock. These two men with so much left to give had their lives stolen. In the stillness of that night I imagine the feeling was numbness and utter disbelief. Today I feel that even though they are gone their legacy will live on forever. Their work is still being completed. They drew a map for all of the people after them to follow. So much has been accomplished in the years that have passed but there is always more to do.
The story is not done though. There is more to tell. So let us continue.
The Trial: Talking about the deck stacked against the dead this trial was the biggest bunch of bullshit I have ever been inclined to learn about. The Jury box was filled with only white jurors. Not one person of the minority was represented. There were jurors who cried listening to Dan's confession, not for the victims but for Dan himself. Oh but it gets better.. The defense team used the craziest defense possible. They presented "The Twinkie Defense." They claimed that Dan was depressed and hyped up on sugar from eating twinkies and that he wasn't thinking clearly. Also, due to his history in the police force he was trained to bring extra ammunition. Oh and the fact he broke in the window instead of walking through the door didn't mean he premeditated the crime at all. (He broke in a place with a .38 caliber handgun and 10 rounds of ammo and reloaded before shooting Harvey. I call bullshit. This was planned and executed.) Then it went to the jury.
The verdict: The jury deliberated for 36 hours and came back with the verdict of voluntary manslaughter. They sentenced him to 7 years and 8 months in jail. This man deserved a harsher verdict and a harsher punishment.
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| Photo by Daniel Nicoletta |
The White Night Riots: There was no justice in the verdict. There was no fairness to the ones grieving this enormous loss. The anger took over and what resulted was utter chaos. They took to the street and wreaked havoc. They were angry and with just reason. They set police cars on fire and threw rocks and honestly I don't blame them. Grief is powerful, you couple that with the fact that you feel like the one person you had in your corner is gone forever. The one who spoke out and fought for you to have a voice has been silenced. The human mind can only endure so much. I will say this, that damage can be replaced and fixed. Harvey and Mayor Moscone can't be replaced.
Dan served 5 years in prison and when he was released he committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. In my opinion he was just purely toxic. Does it make me a bad person that no tears I shed for his decision to end his own life? I feel no sympathy for him at all. I have shed tears over the lives he took and I never knew them but my heart somehow feels like I did. I guess because I stand for alot of the same things they did. I believe everyone deserves a voice. Everyone deserves to live their truth and I will always fight for someone who has been demonized for being who they are.
Hope you all enjoyed this story. I will be posting another one next week. I plan to post one every Saturday if at all possible.
Tina, this is really good reading. I encourage you to pursue this. Wording and punctuation is really on point. I'm assuming English is one of your strong points. I give you a 10 all the way shuga 😘
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I have always enjoyed writing. I hope I can get this off the ground.
DeleteThis wasn't really one of my go-to genres but I am going to have to reconsider that now.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope you will consider reading my next one coming this week.
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