Australian police 'sorry' for harsh LGBT Mardi Gras treatment in 1978
It has been an important few weeks for the participants of Sydney's first ever gay rights march in 1978. First the state government apologised for its poor treatment of protesters, now the police have added their voice.
On Saturday night in 1978, 53 people were arrested amid violent clashes between activists and police, with many people subjected to ill treatment while in custody. Homosexuality was illegal in the Australian state of New South Wales until 1984.
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New South Wales Police Superintendent Tony Crandell formally apologised on Friday for the actions of police on that fateful Saturday night, at a press conference on the eve of the 2016 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
"I spoke with our Commissioner and I have his full support in saying that the New South Wales Police Force is sorry," Crandell said. "Sorry for the way that the Mardi Gras was policed back in 1978. For that, we apologise, and we acknowledge the pain and hurt caused by police actions back then."
Crandell spoke of the police's current relationship with the LGBT community as "healthy, positive and progressive," but acknowledged this was not the case back in 1978.
"Today's force is a very different organisation. We are diverse and we're proud of that diversity," he said, noting that many in the police force will be marching in the Mardi Gras this weekend.
This formal apology follows one made by newspaper the Sydney Morning Herald on Feb. 24, which published the full names, addresses and occupations of those arrested at the time. Members of parliament also made apologies on behalf of the state's government on Feb. 25. Many of the 500 original demonstrators, known as "the 78ers," in attendance.
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