Veterans of the 1969 historic Stonewall Rebellion gathered ahead of the pride march.
The Stonewall Rebellion Veteran’s Association was founded in the aftermath of the protests and meet every year during Gay Pride Weekend.
Riot participants attended from several states and spoke out about their experiences, just blocks away from the Stonewall Inn.
Elected officials took part in the all-day conference as well.
They celebrated the importance of President Obama designating the Stonewall Inn as a national monument on Friday.
"This will speak volumes from generation to generation," said Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. "And it also gives a foundation to the movement that enables it to never be erased from our history. That we can learn from what has happened in the past to make sure it’s never repeated."
"The Stonewall rebellion or uprising was created by the young gay boys and girls and their straight friends," said Williamson Henderson, Director of Stonewall Rebellion Veterans' Association. "That's who started. It's the people who get forgotten very frequently."
The Stonewall Veterans will take part in the march Sunday, riding in a 1969 blue Cadillac they say was parked outside the bar the night the protests started.