40th Anniversary of Stonewall - Now Get On The Ground!
posted by: Steve Williams 183 days ago
Fort Worth, Texas: Patrons of the Rainbow Lounge bar got a little slice of history for the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots over the weekend, when the bar was raided and, if reports are to be believed, heavy-handed police tactics left one man in hospital with severe head injuries, and many more people dehumanized and angry.
What Happened at the Rainbow Lounge?
On a routine inspection alongside the Texas Alcohol Beverage commission, Fort Worth police entered the Rainbow Lounge early Sunday morning at around 1 AM. After that, opinions diverge on what really happened.
The Dallas Voice have published several eyewitness accounts. One says, “They [police officers] asked this guy if he had been drinking, and he said 'some', and they snidely replied, 'Well, we'll see how much!' and plastic handcuffed him as they read him his rights... it was utterly repugnant." Sadly, this is the least violent account of what is alleged to have happened. To read more eyewitness accounts, please click here.
The Associated Press reports one patron, George Armstrong, 41, who was there when officers entered the building, flashed the peace sign at the officers to indicate that he would comply with the raid, but was tackled to the floor and held with an arm twisted behind his back.
"He was yelling at me to stop resisting arrest, but I wasn't doing anything. It was horrible. I really thought he had broken my shoulder." Said Armstrong who, when he was released, went to the hospital where his arm was x-rayed and bandaged up due to "severe bruising".
The police allege the following:
“While walking through the Rainbow Lounge, an extremely intoxicated patron made sexually explicit movements toward the police supervisor. This individual was arrested for public intoxication. Another intoxicated individual also made sexually explicit movements towards another officer and he was arrested for public intoxication. A third individual inside the lounge assaulted the TABC agent by grabbing the TABC agent's groin. He was escorted outside and arrested for public intoxication.” - Statement made by Police Chief Jeff Halstead. No one, however, was arrested for either resisting arrest or for assault of a police officer.
“That is a lie, and I'm appalled by it,” J.R. Schrock, owner of the Rainbow Lounge said.
The man who they allege fell to the floor when challenged is one Chad Gibson, 26, who is still in hospital with his head injuries, but thankfully is now conscious. His sister told reporters whilst protesting with fellow activists, that the idea of Gibson acting in such a manner was false and completely out of character. The Police Chief has been unforthcoming with more details on exactly how Gibson was injured, but the department has started an internal investigation with regards to the raid.
Raids are not uncommon in Fort Worth, but what is uncommon is the level of force alleged to have been used in the raid, something which has shocked and provoked anger in both the gay community and even Fort Worth's governing officials. Councilman Joel Burns acted quickly, making a statement on Monday that he had, "asked for as thorough a report as possible" to assure people that "the police are not singling out any group".
Protestors who gathered outside Fort Worth Police Department throughout Sunday and Monday seem unconvinced. Similarly The Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solomonese released a statement pointing out that an internal investigation would not suffice, "Brutality at the hands of law enforcement is never acceptable and these allegations demonstrate the need for a thorough and impartial investigation." The Dallas Voice, who originally reported the entire story, have the latest information on the case here.
The Police Department have reiterated the fact that they didn't know it was the anniversary of Stonewall. Many officers, presumably, don't even know what the event even stands for.
Sadly, they've unwittingly acted as a reminder to all of us that LGBTs still face victimization today, but the fact that such swift action has been taken, so many voices ringing out to denounce this injustice, people standing in the light of day with banners held high drawing attention to this alleged brutality, well, that also highlights how much progress has been made.
Fight injustice peacefully by signing these Care2 actions today:
Urge President Obama to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act
Protect LGBT kids, show your support for the Safe Schools Improvement Act
What Happened at the Rainbow Lounge?
On a routine inspection alongside the Texas Alcohol Beverage commission, Fort Worth police entered the Rainbow Lounge early Sunday morning at around 1 AM. After that, opinions diverge on what really happened.
The Dallas Voice have published several eyewitness accounts. One says, “They [police officers] asked this guy if he had been drinking, and he said 'some', and they snidely replied, 'Well, we'll see how much!' and plastic handcuffed him as they read him his rights... it was utterly repugnant." Sadly, this is the least violent account of what is alleged to have happened. To read more eyewitness accounts, please click here.
The Associated Press reports one patron, George Armstrong, 41, who was there when officers entered the building, flashed the peace sign at the officers to indicate that he would comply with the raid, but was tackled to the floor and held with an arm twisted behind his back.
"He was yelling at me to stop resisting arrest, but I wasn't doing anything. It was horrible. I really thought he had broken my shoulder." Said Armstrong who, when he was released, went to the hospital where his arm was x-rayed and bandaged up due to "severe bruising".
The police allege the following:
“While walking through the Rainbow Lounge, an extremely intoxicated patron made sexually explicit movements toward the police supervisor. This individual was arrested for public intoxication. Another intoxicated individual also made sexually explicit movements towards another officer and he was arrested for public intoxication. A third individual inside the lounge assaulted the TABC agent by grabbing the TABC agent's groin. He was escorted outside and arrested for public intoxication.” - Statement made by Police Chief Jeff Halstead. No one, however, was arrested for either resisting arrest or for assault of a police officer.
“That is a lie, and I'm appalled by it,” J.R. Schrock, owner of the Rainbow Lounge said.
The man who they allege fell to the floor when challenged is one Chad Gibson, 26, who is still in hospital with his head injuries, but thankfully is now conscious. His sister told reporters whilst protesting with fellow activists, that the idea of Gibson acting in such a manner was false and completely out of character. The Police Chief has been unforthcoming with more details on exactly how Gibson was injured, but the department has started an internal investigation with regards to the raid.
Raids are not uncommon in Fort Worth, but what is uncommon is the level of force alleged to have been used in the raid, something which has shocked and provoked anger in both the gay community and even Fort Worth's governing officials. Councilman Joel Burns acted quickly, making a statement on Monday that he had, "asked for as thorough a report as possible" to assure people that "the police are not singling out any group".
Protestors who gathered outside Fort Worth Police Department throughout Sunday and Monday seem unconvinced. Similarly The Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solomonese released a statement pointing out that an internal investigation would not suffice, "Brutality at the hands of law enforcement is never acceptable and these allegations demonstrate the need for a thorough and impartial investigation." The Dallas Voice, who originally reported the entire story, have the latest information on the case here.
The Police Department have reiterated the fact that they didn't know it was the anniversary of Stonewall. Many officers, presumably, don't even know what the event even stands for.
Sadly, they've unwittingly acted as a reminder to all of us that LGBTs still face victimization today, but the fact that such swift action has been taken, so many voices ringing out to denounce this injustice, people standing in the light of day with banners held high drawing attention to this alleged brutality, well, that also highlights how much progress has been made.
Fight injustice peacefully by signing these Care2 actions today:
Urge President Obama to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act
Protect LGBT kids, show your support for the Safe Schools Improvement Act
Read more: civil rights, police brutality, gay rights, lgbt rights, stonewall riots, fort worth police
comments
So it seems that Daniel is drooling his psycho dribble over here as well. I wonder why he sits around watching gay pride videos if he hates them so much... I think I might've seen a few seconds of such footage in my lifetime, although I have seen a number of drag shows that were pretty good... maybe I should get out more.
Just because facist fundie zealots like him claim the poor child brutally beaten and left to slowly die because of his God-given sexual orientation was actually killed because of drugs and that everybody knows it doesn't make it so.
Just because he says Gays are perverse, doesn't make it so.
Just because he says Obama is pro-homosexual and anti-christian doesn't make it so.
He condones acts of violence against gays, but it doesn't make it right.
If the police in question shared Daniels beliefs, then it is likely that they acted improperly.
Seriously, the more Daniel writes, the more his hatred, intolerance and ignorance becomes laughably exposed.
HA! HA! HA! OH MY GUTNESS GRACIOUS! HE IS SO PATHETICALLY FUNNY! Bless his little dark heart.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
sorry any truth besides your own fantasy is unacceptable to you. just remove anything that you don't like....all you will be left with is lies and homosexual propaganda. BTW Mathew Shephard was killed over drugs...everyone knows that. Gays are and do act perverse, drunk or sober. Sorry you do not like the facts. But if you really did not like the facts of homosexuality, you would act different....like with some degree of integrity and respect.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
SO...shall I give a link to a gay pride video? They have no problem acting like they are having intercourse on the floats, or giving oral sex...or groping each other while waving to the crowd. Are you trying to tell me they would act more respectable drunk? I do not think so. I find it amusing that the last post says to voice your outrage...outrage? That is funny. I do have outrage...but not towards the police, rather towards those that act perverse in public parades, while children are watching even. And they think we will say...gay is fine? Wrong. Godliness is fine, godliness is moral, godliness is not acting perversly..especially in front of children. I will oppose the homosexual agenda...I will stand for the God of the bible and for morality and truly equal rights...which means no special rights cause your homosexual. I say voice your outrage at Obama for being so pro homosexual and anti Christian.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Please call or email these elected officials in Fort Worth to voice your outrage!http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2009/06/30/fort-worth-police-chief-that-faggot-had-it-coming
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Amnesty Int'l lists the US as a country that allows the brutality of its police against LGBT people and has called for the US to stop persecution LGBT people. The US joins its list of some of the ugliest countries in the world where brutality and even the death penalty just for being LGBT is commonplace. Isn't it time for the US to start living up to its professed role as the leader in the world for human/civil rights? The whole world sees Uncle Sam has no clothes and laughs about his claims of "leader of the free world".
Come on Uncle Sam, it's about time you joined with the more progressive countries in the world and stopped persecution and police brutality against the LGBT minority. Start acting like the country you claim to be. No one outside of the US is fooled by your claims. What you do rings so loudly in our ears that we can't hear a word you say.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
It seems that across the nation, starting with California, police brutality is increasing. I don't think it is all the basic fault of the police, however. The average "uniform" is dammed if he or she does, and also if the opposite is chosen. Increasing legal, moral and pecuniary pressure on police personnel have manifested a desperation among the ranks, because their management will use them as scapegoats. I think that cops in some parts of the country have had "proactive response" pushed at them in guard mounts and stand ups until it is a psychological curse. "You should have . ." is all the rage at IAD hearings. IAD is a "dumping ground" for inept personnel. If that is the case, each cop should carry a crystal ball or Ouija board to peer into the future. My son resigned from an east coast department in a major city because the unspoken code was to violate almost all regs and guidelines, while maintaining the "blue wall of silence." He told me the cops were so frustrated at walking on a legal knife edge, that they took it out on suspects being transported just out of frustration. Enroute to the precinct, the suspect was hauled out of the unit, and "tuned up," just because the cops would have really preferred some of their superiors to be on that handcuff ride. If we don't attract the preferred profile of police personnel, we must take second or third best, and the result is non-compliance. So long as a cop fails to make it to retirement, it is cheaper for the city.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
No one knows for sure what happened unless they were there, and then there are different points of view. It is actually possible that all of the seemingly contradictory accounts are true based on the individual perceptions.
I had my face smashed against a police car in Birmingham, AL for "resisting" when I was sixteen years old, even though from my point of view I was just pulling my arm and screaming because the officer put the handcuffs on too tight.
I also agree that Obama should stand up for gay rights more in order to send a message across the country that a new day of equality has truly arrived.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
I find it very hard to believe that anyone (even slobbering drunk) would behave in such a way to a TABC Officer or FW Police Officer. TX law enforcement isn't exactly known for it's reasonable treatment of others and everyone in TX knows not to mess with the cops or they will make sure you regret it. If I had to guess, I would say the authorities are lying. At minimum, there needs to be an independent investigation.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Texas is notorious for bigotry and violence, especially from its police: in the 'style' of the Texas Rangers who were famous for rape, torture and genocide, throughout history. I well remember returning from Mexico and passing into Texas and being treated to "No Dogs or Mexicans Allowed" signs all over the place. STUPID BLEEPING MORON BIGOTS abounding - and, what are the straight/ally folks doing about it, btw?!
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Lloyd, This article was about what happened in TX - that is under Rick Perry's (Governor Goodhair)- jurisditcion. Obama does not set policy in TX. Everything does not have to be turned into what Obama has or has not done.
Sure, we are all dissappointed that he has not as yet met each individual groups agenda - especially if it is a group you are part of. He has had a few things to take care of: the economy, passing health care reform, 2 wars and a big mess that he inherited from that guy you knew was going to knife you in the back. He has only been in office for 6 short months. Bush had 8 years to screw up things. Don't you think you could give Obama a bit more time to unscrew them???
TX is a state where we are paying $10,000 a month for a governor to live in a fancy smancy condo while the governor's mansion is being renovated (and then it was burned down). It is a state that covers more ground than any other state. It is a state that ranks very low in education and the governor vetoed a bill to provide for expansion of pre k k education and college tuitiion reduction. We actually added odious language to our state constitution saying marriage was between one man & one woman. Obama never even lived here & you can't blame him for everything.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account:
Photo used under the Creative Commons Attribution License, with thanks to Bobster855.
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
1180859