Statement Released at Press Conference on January 2, 1965

Statement Released at Press Conference on January 2, 1965

Phyllis Lyon & Del Martin Papers

Repository: GLBT Historical Society

HERE'S WHAT REALLY HAPPENED - -

At the Mardi Gras New Year's Ball held January 1st at the California Hall The Council on Religion and the Homosexual and the cooperating homophile movement organizations were treated to the most lavish display of police harassment
known in recent times.

Estimates of from 10 to 55 uniformed and plainclothes police officers, including inspectors, photographers and at least one captain were on hand from 9 p.m. until the Ball closed at 1 a.m. At the Ball were more than 600 guests, four
attorneys, 12 to 25 clergymen and their wives.

As a result of intense harassment and surveillance three attorneys (Herb Donaldson, Evander Smith and Elliott Leighton) were arrested and charged with interfering with officers in the performance of their duty. In addition, a
housewife was arrested on a similar charge. These four people were arrested because they were attempting to protect the privacy of the party.

During the evening police also arrested two men on so-called disorderly conduct charges. It is believed these arrests were made to justify the presence of the police department in such great force at the Ball. There was no criticism of costumes or the dancing or the program. All except those charged with disorderly conduct were released right away and returned to the party. The latter two were released at noon the next day. THESE WERE THE ONLY ARRESTS MADE.

This heavy show of force displayed by the San Francisco Police Department followed a conference on Dec. 23 between two ministers from the Council and the Chief of the Bureau of Inspectors and the Sex Crimes Detail at which plans for the ball were told in good faith to the police. Thereafter police attempted to cause California Hall officials to cancel their contract. On Dec. 29 five ministers and nine representatives of homophile organizations held a meeting
which was also attended by Inspectors Rudolph Nieto and Richard Castro at which time police policy was outlined and assurance given that persons in costume would not be summarily arrested and those in drag could arrive and depart the ballroom with freedom from arrest provided they did not cause disturbance on the streets. . .

Clergymen representatives on the Council, contending that the police broke faith, held a press conference Jan. 2 at Glide Memorial Methodist Church to clarify this contention with newspaper and other news media. Present were many outraged ministers, attorneys and representatives of homophile organizations.

Police action in this affair will be contested in court to establish the right of homosexuals and all adults to assemble lawfully without invasion of privacy, taking of photographs without permission and other lawless police tactics.

We are grateful to all who attended the Ball under these unfortunate circumstances. We are proud that they were present, entered into the spirit of the event and without exception behaved themselves in a courageous and exemplary manner. We express regret that the San Francisco Police Department made such a mockery of the fine work in policing the party performed by nine special policemen and a policewoman from Hargraves Agency detailed for the occasion.

This is a beginning and not the end of this determination to achieve full citizenship for homosexuals and all minorities, without discrimination and intimidation.

In addition to newspaper coverage that is bound to follow, the homophile press and spokesmen of cooperating organizations will keep everyone informed of the progress of events. You and every other citizen have a stake in this important undertaking which will help guarantee to all that our Constitution means exactly what it says.

(This statement was prepared by members of the Committee for the Mardi Gras
Ball. January 2, 1965)