The Stonewall riots started in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969 and lasted 6 days. After years of abuse and being told by society that their way of life was wrong, the patrons of the Stonewall Inn had enough. They did not want to live a life of shame, so instead of letting the shame build up and turn into anger, they fought back. This brave act is an example of practicing ahimsa (a = no and himsa = harm).