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News and commentary about the anti-gay lobby“Now you must raise your children up in a world where that union of man and box turtle is on the same legal footing as man and wife…”
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbyJuly 15th, 2009
About two dozen LGBT citizens and allies spoke before the Ft. Worth city council last night about the June 28 raid on the Rainbow Lounge by Ft. Worth police and agents from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. They were there to ask city council members to apologize for what happen and ensure that such a raid will never happen again:
One woman said she had traveled some 1,500 miles from San Francisco to lend her support. A few speakers said they were not gay, but that they wanted the council to know that it was not just the gay community concerned about the actions of Fort Worth and TABC officers that night.
One woman described in detail what she saw during the inspection.
“That was the first time I was ever afraid of the police,” said Sarah Bryant, who had been at the bar with her boyfriend that night. “After that, I was overwhelmed with disappointment and I guess a little bit disturbed. … We just need your help to move on.”
The violent raid on the Rainbow Lounge took place on the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion. Chad Gibson was severely injured with a head trauma which resulted in him being sent to intensive care with bleeding in his brain. His full recovery may take as long as two years. FWPD and TABC are both conducting separate internal investigations into the raid, and the acting U.S. Attorney James Jack will independently review those investigations when they are completed. Meanwhile FWPD has suspended all cooperative activities with the TABC pending the outcome of these investigations,
One woman in the audience asked Ft. Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief why he hasn\’t apologized for Gibson having to be hospitalized, “If you want an apology from your mayor, I am sorry for what happened in Ft. Worth. I am sorry,” Moncrief replied. According to the Associated Press, the crowd stood and applaused. The Star-Telegram merely said the apology drew “some applause.”
More than 250 people packed city council chambers for the meeting, with another 150 people gathered outside watching it on television monitors.
The meeting got off to a bad start when seven Dallas-based protesters from Queer LiberAction tried to disrupt the meeting. Those protesters were angry because the Rainbow Lounge discussion was placed last on the open discussion portion of the city council agenda — a normal spot when a particular topic is known to be of high interest and will likely generate a lot of discussion. Putting it last ensures that the other topics are discussed and gotten out of the way before the big one begins. But I guess there are always some people who are more interested in theater than action, demanding that their oppressed voices be heard when the topic is already right there on the agenda. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed:
While the outbursts from protesters brought a smattering of support, most at the meeting seemed bothered by the interruptions and broke out in applause when marshals escorted the men out and thanked Moncrief for working with the gay community.
DeeJay Johannessen approached the microphone and said he understood putting such speakers at the end of the meeting is a common practice.
“We are willing to wait. We\’re going to be here. We look forward to talking to you. We looking forward to resolving this issue with you,” he said, prompting some to give him a standing ovation.
Real progress was made at the meeting. In addition to the Mayor’s apology, Ft. Worth Police Chief Jeffrey Halstead announced the appointment of Officer Sara Straten as liaison to the city’s LGBT community. Officer Straten is a 17-year veteran of the police force. Meanwhile, the internal investigations continue, with the FWPD considering theirs a high-priority investigation, and have so far interviewed 33 eyewitnesses since the start of the investigation. They expect to complete the investigation in 30 days.
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Lindoro Almaviva
July 15th, 2009
I guess this is now the waiting time. Let’s hope that the investigation do not, all of a sudden, conclude that there was “no excessive use of force” or “wrongdoing” in the part of the police.
Would not be the first time it happens.
Lucrece
July 15th, 2009
I expect heads to roll after the investigation. Not this fluff bureaucratic crap and slaps on the wrist.
The agents and officers involved in that raid ought to face harsh disciplinary action. Hit them where it hurts; dock their pay.
Lindoro Almaviva
July 15th, 2009
The agents and officers involved in that raid ought to face harsh disciplinary action.
wouldn’t that be beautiful? Now let’s talk about reality and the actual possibility that it will not happen.
The raiders of the Stonewall did not face any charges. Even 40 years ago, there were civil liberties laws and there was no investigation.
Of more current memory, how many times have we seen police commit brutal acts, an investigation ensues and the result is either a slap on the wrist or a “no wrongdoing” result?
Stephen Sprinkle
July 15th, 2009
I was there, and I do not agree with the characterization of “theater rather than progress.” Reasonable people may disagree about the tactics of the kids last night, but there are things I know from being there: 1) the apology from the Mayor would never have been forthcoming without the pressure in the room. 2) the agenda was forced up on the list because passions were running so high. 3) Comments like this one, Mr. Burroway, successfully triangulate LGBT people against each other. Opinions vary. Express them all you like, but don’t be so sure that barking back and forth among ourselves does anything but offer comfort to our oppressors. I appreciate the work of BOTH negotiation, and street action. I also refuse to sit on the fence or denigrate my own people. I appreciate your hard work on this blog.
Steve Sprinkle
Brite Divinity School
Fort Worth, Texas
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