Tompkins Square Park, 20 Years Later

This summer will be the 20th anniversary of the Tompkins Square Park riot. From the New York Times, August 6, 1993:

In a playground off Avenue A, Gerry Griffin watched Emily, her 18-month-old towheaded daughter, run after flying bubbles. Ms. Griffin said she enjoys the renovated Tompkins Square Park.

“For people with kids, it’s a dream come true,” she said. “I was against what they were doing, but I am really enjoying the effects of it.” […]

“They said they tore down the bandshell because people slept in it,” said Ruth Silber, who has lived near the park for 26 years. “Pretty soon they’re going to destroy all the subways because homeless people sleep in the subways.” […]

Farther up Avenue A, two officers on mopeds sat inside the locked gate, talking about Saturday, the fifth anniversary of the 1988 battle. They told visitors to come back then if they wanted to see some action.

Do they expect trouble? “I hope so,” one officer said as he rode off.

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