Sunday's QL protest rally comes two weeks after the raid on the Rainbow Lounge, which prompted this rally on the courthouse steps.
Queer Liberaction is organizing a rally in Fort Worth for Sunday, July 12 at 7 p.m. as part of the organization’s ongoing efforts to keep the spotlight on the June 28 raid at the Rainbow Lounge. And QL is holding several meetings in the days leading up to the Sunday action, starting tonight.
There is a pre-rally meeting tonight (Wednesday) at 7 p.m. at Buli Cafe, 3908 Cedar Springs Road. It is open to everyone who is interested in helping organize the rally.
Thursday at 8 p.m., there will be a poster-making party at the Rainbow Lounge, 651 S. Jennings.
On Friday and Saturday, QL teams will be hitting the streets to put up flyers publicizing the Sunday rally. Teams will gather at Buli at 8 p.m. each night in Dallas, and at 8 p.m. at Rainbow Lounge in Fort Worth before heading out.
The rally itself starts at 7 p.m. Sunday on the steps of the Tarrant County Courthouse, 100 E. Weatherford St. in downtown Fort Worth. Remember, parking in downtown Fort Worth is free on weekends, both at street meters and in parking garages.
Kudos to QL for organizing this rally. Per the FW Star Telegram the pressure is working.
“The emotional reaction to the events at the Rainbow Lounge makes it imperative that the public is assured the investigations are comprehensive and that appropriate actions result from the findings. Ongoing protests by members of the city’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender residents make it certain that the incident will not be forgotten.”
Federal crimes have been committed by the cops and are in violation of excessive force laws. “Excessive force by a law enforcement officer is a violation of a person’s rights. Excessive force is not subject to a precise definition, but it is generally beyond the force a reasonable and prudent law enforcement officer would use under the circumstances.
Force should be used in only the minimum amount needed to achieve a legitimate purpose. Police brutality is a direct violation of the laws within the police force. The use of excessive force is also a direct violation of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S Constitution regarding cruelty and protection of the laws. “ (source: https://definitions.uslegal.com/e/excessive-force/) Excessive force crimes carry a maximum 10 year penalty and $250,000 fine.
The single photo of 4-5 officers pinning down a 160 pound Chad Gibson is visual proof his rights were violated. Even if drunk, excessive force was used to make the arrest. If Chad Gibson “assaulted (groped) the officerâ€, then why was he not charged with this crime? If Chad Gibson resisted arrest, then why was he not charged with this crime? Why to these questions…because he didn’t. The other reported injuries including broken ribs and a broken thumb are also indicative of excessive force in play. Were those guys charged with assault of an officer or for resisting arrest? No. Their civil rights were also violated. The FBI, not the internal agencies need to be investigating this matter.
I agree with the first post. Looks like QL finally found its “cause célèbre”.
Poster Making Party Dallas
Resource Center of Dallas
2701 Reagan St
Thurs, July 9
8:00 PM
http://www.queerliberaction.org
Perhaps the most disgusting Post I have ever seen on Instant Tea:
Je Says:
July 8th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I agree with the first post. Looks like QL finally found its “cause célèbreâ€.
So, that’s important? You must be part of the “exaggeration” crowd trying to make us believe that angry “protest” works. I think most of the thinking people in the gay community are “waiting to find out what actually happened,” at the Rainbow Lounge and not trying to make work for QL.
Some of us still want to know what Blake and QL have done with the money they’ve raised. What’s Blake’s salary? Why do the lie about attendance at QL events?
These are serious questions and do not make any of us think that QL should should a) be in business, b) soliciting money and c) trying to get famous.
I would hope you would retract that statement.
Brian,Â
Get a life. If you seriously were worried about junk like that, a 5 minute conversation with any active QL member would answer your questions. It’s silly that your sitting there spouting slander about a group that is out in the community fighting for equality and against injustice. Â
And so long as were discussing “thinking people” it doesn’t take a Mensa member to realize that an investigation of the events would have never been brought to light with out pressure from those angry protests – as made very apparent by the police chiefs initial reaction to the event. Do you seriously believe his reaction of ‘i’m glad the officers used the force they did’ was going to change over night if we quietly sat behind our computer screens and pissed and moan about an activist group asking for donations instead of getting off our butts, making a ruckous in the streets and demanded asnwers??? If the answer to that question isn’t obvious, then kindly count yourself out of the “thinking gays” clique.Â
The fact if the matter is we may not have all thr answers yet, but by god we deserve them. Chad deserves them. Ft worth deserves them. A fair assesment of what happened. And when that’s discovered, accountability needs to be made. What Blake and QL, and countless others have done has demanded those answers. The fact of the matter is there would be nothing to “wait and see what really happened” with out angry protests unapologetically demanding the answers to their questions.Â
You want to discuss what the artical was over… Here is the place to do it. You want to discuss QL’s budget, or Blake’s ‘salary’ I suggest attending a QL meeting… I hear they are open to anyone and are held every other Wednesday at buli. Don’t be tacky and stawman the topic at hand. Â Â
I agree with you Brian, even the owner of the GLBT bar I frequent over here in Ft. Worth is reserving judgement until the investigations of all three agencies are complete. I understand the need to speak out against the “apparent” excessive force. What I really want to hear is something from the patrons/bar owners from the other two bars that were inspected that nite. If the officers had the same type of approach, we can’t say it was “gay related” use of excessive force.
Every incident an officer gets into can be a life or death situation. If someone was reaching for me and I am carrying a weapon, I sure would react as if that person was reaching for it.
The Mayor, many City Council members, several newspapers and FW Police-TABC have ALL called for an investigation. They are investigating.
They aren’t doing that because of any “protest” by QL or anyone else. Everyone immediately recognized a problem with what “may have happened” at the Rainbow Lounge. Soon, we will have answers. At that point, people will seek appropriate changes or new policies. This isn’t 1969 – people are watching and contributing.
The owner of the Rainbow Lounge knew the police and TABC officers were coming that night. That’s hardly a “raid.” Someone got hurt and we need an explanation, but it was not a raid. If it was two straight bars were also “raided” and I haven’t heard anything about any StraightLiberaction efforts.
To call it is a RAID is wishful thinking, especially if you are in the business of “protesting.”
Brett:
Legitimate groups publish financial and corporate documentation info on their website. QL does not.
Wow. Didn’t know this was such an explosive topic. That QL found a cause to rally around is just that, a fact. I was not making a comment about money, the investigation, or anything else. People just need to chill out, clean up from when they crapped on themselves, and stop reading too much into other people’s 2-sentence comments.
Brian, what really bothers me is that you don’t come to anyone with your disrespectful questions. You feel the need to slander the QL name for your own personal grab for power.Ultimately, this appears pretty selfish to me. We are a very open group and invite all questions you have in the proper settings. Come to one of our meeting and show us that you have a face and you are generally concerned about LGBT equality.
Now we are censoring comments about QL?
I live in Ohio and I must admit that his whole TABC is so silly. People go to bars to drink. Many people get drunk..so what?? People get charged for “over intoxication??” I can see if someone is getting unruly or annoying to others to be tossed out..but an entire gang of cops with weapons “interviewing” patrons to see if they are too drunk seems crazy!! If they idea is to prevent drunk drivers then what about patrons that walked to the bar or have designated drivers or took cabs??
You Texans need to work on repealing this nonsense! What a waste of taxpayers money!
Just out of curiousity, does anyone believe that HRC’s release from Mr. Solomonese while he and one (or more) of our own local leaders were in the same room as President Obama had anything to do with the additional movement and independent investigations?
Like I said, just curious.
Brian has no credibility. Zero. Zilch. Nada. He first insists that he wants to “wait and see” before drawing conclusions, but he has already drawn his own. He has determined this was not a raid. He believes these are all “exaggerations”. Hmm…nice “waiting & seeing”. Then he gets crazed over QL and comes across as a real looney. Shoo fly don’t bother me.
For a very thorough report of this story check out FW Weekly’s front page article here. https://www.fwweekly.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1869:rainbow-revolt&catid=30:cover-story&Itemid=375
While I agree that the first protest had a lot to do with bringing attention to the situation in Ft. Worth, constantly protesting isn’t neccessarily the way to go about the situation. I’m glad there was a protest, and I was there for the first one, because it bought attention to a matter that our community is NOT going to stand for.
I now think that instead of just protesting, we need to get groups together to go to Ft. Worth City Council meetings. If a 100 people dressed in the same color shirt, ie.Red, show up at a city council meeting with a few scheduled to speak, this calmly shows that we mean business. While a few address the council the rest of us stand up. This shows the city we are united and we’re wathcing. Investigating these kinds of things take time, that’s why the TABC people are at desk jobs, innocent until proven guilty. Maybe a post card writing campaign to city council and TABC, or a campaign to adivse the Ft. Worth Chamber of Commerce that we WON’T spend money in their city until this is rectified. There’s a lot besides just protesting that we can do, although there are times we must make our presence known. Hand out flyers at the bus terminal or the zoo explaining to people to “be careful” while in Ft. Worth. These types of things aren’t just yelling and screaming but are educational and bring alot of attention. Especially when hit inthe pocketbook.
An email I received yesterday asking me to come to the next protest started like this:
“Queer Liberaction, North Texas only LGBT Direct Action Organization will hold a rally on the steps of the Tarrant County Courthouse”.
First of all QL is NOT North Texas’ only LGBT Direct Action Organization. There are a number of “direct action” organizations in N Texas. To name just a few: DGLA, Stonewall Democrats of Dallas, of Denton, of Tarrant Counties, GLSEN, PFLAG, LULAC Rainbow Council, and even Log Cabin Republicans. All of these groups are direct action and all of them plus many others work on things that affect the LGBT communties.
There are many things we can do, from Protesting to letter writing, to supporting those who support us in many ways. Until we (LGBT Community) can figure out a way to come together find ways to work together, protest together, and make positive change together, it won’t happen outside of our community. We must be respectful of one another and we must not think that one group alone is going to make all the difference in the world, a city, or a state, but working together we can do it.
Let’s been inclusive and pro-active as opposed to exclusive and apathetic.
I think everyone needs to settle down.
I have no comments about Queer Liberaction since I know nothing about them.
However, I would like to thank the very active LGBT leaders in Fort Worth who are responsible for the progress we’ve seen. I would also like to thank the people who helped get Joel Burns, openly gay Fort Worth City Councilman, elected.
Thanks to years of political activism the Fort Worth community has a good city government that cares about, and represents our community.
Dallas and Fort Worth are both excellent communities for LGBT people. I hope this incident encourages more local people to get involved in the political process.
Soon, QL and the other professional activists will be asking for your money. They would like you to believe they are actually creating some results. I have not seen anything positive from their efforts.
I have read everything available on the Rainbow Lounge event. It was not a RAID. Something went wrong and we need to find out what, but it was not a RAID. This is just another exaggeration from the professional protesters.
Perhaps there will be an appropriate time to get angry and make demands, but we do not know what happened yet. Hopefully, the investigations will provide answers – protesting does not.
In preparation for the rally on the 12th, Queer Liberaction is hosting two poster making parties on Thursday, one in Dallas and one in Ft Worth.
Fort Worth Poster Making Party
Thursday, July 9 @ 8:00 PM
The Rainbow Lounge
651 S Jennings
Dallas Poster Making Party
Thursday, July 9 @ 8:00 PM
Resource Center of Dallas
2701 Reagan St
Help Get the Word OUT About the Rainbow Lounge Raid Rally
We will be going out in teams to put up signs and hand out flyers to let everyone know about the big rally. Please join us at the following times:
Friday, July 10 @ 8:00 PM @ Buli Café – 3908 Cedar Springs, Dallas
Saturday, July 11 @ 8:00 PM @ Buli Café
Friday, July 10 @ The Rainbow Lounge – 651 S Jennings, Fort Worth
Saturday, July 11 @ The Rainbow Lounge – 651 S Jennings, Fort Worth
Mike Lo Vuolo.. NONE of those organizations are direct action organizations.. none of them. This does not mean they don’t do something for the community or that they are not valuble, but they are lobbying groups, political advocacy groups and social organizations. You may want to check the definition of direct action politics. Direct action is a form of political activism which seeks immediate remedy for perceived ills, as opposed to indirect actions such as electing representatives who promise to provide remedy at some later date. . Methods include protesting, sit ins, street art etc. TRUE protesting alone will not get us to the promised land.. but neither will lobbying and registering to vote and attending political cocktail parties at the White House. We need every part of our movement doing everything they can.. to try to silence another group or put down another group because you don’t agree with their tactics is silly and counter productive. As a member of QL, I have nothing but respect for any organization that is willing to do even the slightest thing for our community.. I may think some of them are completely wrong in their tactics, but I let them do as they will because I know that in the end we are all working toward the same goals. I wish I could say we have received the same respect form many of the listed organizations… I hope one day we do.
Brian… when we have collected money it goes directly to buying poster board, markers and protest supplies. No one is paid for anything.. thanks
Daniel Cates:
No need to insult other organizations. I’m not sure your “protest” group has much support, but when you collect money you need to do some accounting. It isn’t hard to keep track of the money you’ve raised and who gets it, especially if you want people to think you are legitimate.
TO Mark Reed:
This is what you said above:
“The single photo of 4-5 officers pinning down a 160 pound
Chad Gibson is visual proof his rights were violated. ”
There is NO picture of 4-5 officers “pinning down” anyone. There is a picture of 3 officers kneeling near Chad Gibson and one officer above with a flashlight. Most of it is obscured, but if you enlarge the picture you will see 3 officers and NO EVIDENCE of anyone even holding him down.
This continued exaggeration of the event at the Rainbow Lounger undermines ALL efforts by gays to obtain equality and respect. It would be appropriate if you amended your remarks and then waited, like the rest of us, for the rest of the story.
The police showing up with a paddy wagon and nylon cuffs is a tip off that this might have been a raid. The police reaction inside the bar and the injuries sustained indicate this was not a routine inspection. The police chief using a gay panic defense (the officers were groped) shows a lack of sensitivity and is a confirmation that the chief should not be conducting an investigation, the gay panic defense has been ruled inadmissable in numerous courts. The trauma and injuries suffered by the patrons are real and will have consequences.
It is an old tactic for gays to attack and question leadership. Apologist gays whose only response is negative should be ignored and the energy saved can then be redirected to positive action including protest. Protest works. Protest is enshrined in the Constitution. Protest builds community. Protest creates health.
The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Happiness was not intended to be a trip to the mall or ice cream. Happiness was the individuals involvement in the creation of a just and responsive government, and the subsequent participation in the health and well-being of the community under that government. Protest and dissent were assumed to be part of the process.
I suggest reading the Declaration of Independence. This is a radical and subversive document that gave legal justification to a war with Great Britain. Read it and then tell me that protest is not enshrined in the foundation of our government.
As to anger. Anger is an appropriate and healthy response to the Rainbow Lounge raid. Peace officers acted in a manner inconsistent with the situation and in a manner that caused bodily harm. Peace officers violated their training and mandate. Be angry and direct that anger to positive change.
The investigative process needs to be questioned because how the investigation is convened , how the investigation is conducted, and what the consequences are for those being investigated must be determined by applicable law, a transparent process, and a high regard for fairness to all parties involved.
The investigative body needs individuals of proven moral character, and a record of impartiality who represent the community, the council, the human relations commission, the LGBT community, legal jurisprudence, and a Judge of high standing to monitor the proceedings.
A proper investigation will be costly in time and money and will not only result in a determination of the appropriateness of the police response, a determination of remedies, but will also make recommendations of any changes that need to be made to police procedures and assumptions.
Protest and pressure will need to be maintained to ensure this investigation meets community expectations for fairness and thoroughness.
I suggest reading the Peace Officers Training Manual posted on the TABC site. This is a poorly written document that clearly shows how dysfunctional TABC is. TABC, the organization, should be investigated to see if they are fulfilling their mandate and responsibilities.
You have the ability to create lasting and positive change by involving yourself in protest, demonstration, letter writing, and fund raising. I suggest starting today.
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
→ Arthur Schopenhauer
Keep up the pressure QL. The nation is watching to see how Ft. Worth will respond to the RAID on the Rainbow Lounge. Protests create needed tension civil rights movements require and keeps this major injustice (and unfortunately Brian) from quietly going away.
Arthur (anger aside) the Bar Owner knew they were coming. Was this a scheduled raid?
I agree with you – something went wrong, but calling it a “raid on a gay bar” is a big exaggeration. Soon, we’ll know more of what happened and it is likely s few officers will be disciplined.
Scheduled raid implies forethought, something that has not been verified. TABC guidelines allow any police officer to enter any licensed establishment selling alcohol at any time with or without prior notification. Further, the very act of drinking is suspect under TABC rules, a clear conflict with “innocent until proven guilty.”
Like Maya Angelou says about oppression “You have to talk about it, write about it, sing about it, walk it out, dance it out, and make plays out of it.”
Main Entry: RAID / this may reassure you this word is being used correctly.
Pronunciation:
\ˈrÄd\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
Middle English (Scots) rade, from Old English rÄd ride, raid — more at road
Date:
15th century
1 a: a hostile or predatory incursion b: a surprise attack by a small force2 a: a brief foray outside one’s usual sphere b: a sudden invasion by officers of the law
So, no exaggeration.
Brian,
The owner was told an “Inspection” was to be performed at his location. Here are procedures for a TABC inspection. (https://www.tabc.state.tx.us/enforcement/enforcement_policy.asp).
Nowhere in these procedures does it say you bring 2 TABC officers, 6 city officers, a paddy wagon and nylon cuffs to an inspection. This was a raid. The inspection did not follow protocol.
TEXAS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE COMMISSION PAGE 1 OF 3 PROCEDURES
a. Identify Self.
1. The CPO will identify himself or herself to a location representative by stating his or
her name and title and will present his or her identification.
2. The CPO will explain that he or she is visiting the location in order to conduct an
Enforcement Operations Policy Number LE 1.02.00 inspection of the licensed premises.
3. The CPO will speak with the location representative and will attempt to determine
who the owners are and what role the representative plays in the business.
4. If the location representative is not a manager, the CPO will then ask to speak with a
manager and will repeat this identification process to the manager.
b. Explain Inspection.
1. The CPO will explain what will occur during the inspection.
2. The CPO will notify the permittee or licensee of any problems reported regarding the
location or in the local area.
3. The CPO will discuss seller training. The CPO should do the following:
• inquire about the location’s policy regarding seller training and whether the
policies are posted;
• ask whether all employees are seller-trained;
• inform the location’s representative of the benefits of seller training; and
• offer to answer any questions.
c. Locate the Permit or License.
1. The CPO will ask where the permit or license is posted.
2. The CPO will identify the type of permit or license and ensure that it is valid.
d. Observe Location for Violations and Offenses. The CPO will observe the location for any administrative or criminal violation.
e. Take Appropriate Action.
1. The CPO will contact any individual whom he or she observes violating the Alcoholic
Beverage Code, Commission Rules, or other applicable law.
2. If possible, the CPO will explain the reason he or she is speaking with the individual.
3. The CPO will escort the individual to a safe location in order to minimize any
disruption to the location, to effectively interview the individual, and to determine what
action to take.
4. The CPO will interview the individual and determine whether to issue a verbal or
written warning or to write an administrative notice or criminal citation. The CPO will
then determine whether to arrest the individual.
f. Leave the Location. The CPO will ask the manager or other representative if he or she
has any questions and discuss any concerns discovered during the inspection.
Mark and Other Queer Liberation supporters:
I have just heard that one officer is going to be punished for using “excessive” force during one or more of the inspections in Fort Worth. He will probably lose his job. So far, there is no additional information that anyone planned or participated in any kind of “raid.”
At what point will you see this for exactly what it was – one (maybe two) bad cops? and not some Stonewall-like “raid” on gays? When?
All the posters and anger and exaggerations will not make this your “cause” and bring you fame and fortune. Some of us are beginning to understand what happened that night – soon, others will.
If I believed this was some sort of premeditated “attack” on gays, as many of you have suggested, I would stand with you. Instead, it now appears it was a rather routine “inspection” that included a homophobic cop who hurt a gay man. If he isn’t punished to the full extent of the law – criminal AND civil, we will ALL protest. If Texas (TABC) doesn’t change its laws so that gays (and straights) can get drunk INSIDE a Bar, everyone should protest.
Q for Brian:
If a straight woman’s skull had been cracked by police in a similar manner, say on a women’s holiday, say mother’s day, would you be calling her people and telling them to put their anger aside and wait for the official version of the story?
We do not know how Chad was injured or the extent of his injuries. You have chosen the words “if a straight woman’s skull was cracked,” and that is NOT the case here. Plus, there is NO reason to expect police officers to know that evening was the anniversary of Stonewall.
So, with this brief response to my inquiry you have exaggerated twice. If you had more time I suspect you would have continued – maybe leading up to another angry protest?
Maybe you can get some people excited enough to make a few posters and march around, but some people are giving this whole event some very thoughtful consideration. You can’t just magic-marker them away with some more wishful thinking.
It was not a RAID. GAYS were not the target. Someone got hurt – we need to know what went wrong. We will know soon. In the meantime, there is no need to “demand” anything. The “bad cop” is going to be punished. Making it Stonewall2009 is just childish and for Queer Liberaction some more “wishful thinking.”
Dallas Eagle just raided on opening night. Liquor service and music shut down at midnight by TABC/Dallas PD.
Brian’s post of July 10th is a personal attack on community activists and should be removed.
Hard working, unpaid, and principled community activists deserve respect and appreciation not snide and mean-spirited remarks.
Brian needs to learn first amendment speech includes consideration for the facts, consideration for others in his community, and personal accountability for his speech.
Brian needs to be censured.
One or two bad cops is a possibility that will be reviewed in the course of investigations of fact, not innuendo and rumor. There were 4 other cops that did not intervene to prevent the 1 or 2 bad cops from criminal acts, failing to intervene is a criminal act.
“All the posters and anger and exaggerations…” Brian is out of line in attacking and attempting to smear concerned citizens who are engaged in responsible speech as guaranteed by the Constitution. Free speech is a verb that requires on-going use by citizens to have meaning and power. Brian would have us believe that the American Revolution was a “cause” by a few people looking for “fame and fortune.”
As to Stonewall. Brian appears to have no clue as to who was at Stonewall, what their anger was about, and why 40 years later Stonewall has such power in the psyche of LGBT Americans. Police abuse of LGBT people is all too prevalent and not a “cause,”or a fantasy by “Queer Liberation supporters.” And what do you mean by Queer Liberation supporters?
Shame on Brian for abusive and unacceptable speech.
Thank you Brian for your “breaking news” and IF you are correct, debating over the term “inspection” vs. “raid” is irrelevant. A federal crime was committed. Getting fired is not enough. Prison time is a must and every FWPD officer that was there and witnessed this crime take place should also be held fully accountable. They were either accomplices in this felonious criminal act and/or did not perform their tax paid duties of protecting the lives of all citizens that were at this bar that night.
Plain and simple. QL…stay angry and keep making those signs and demanding JUSTICE for what occurred at this “routine inspection”. An “inspection” that included 7-8 cops, a paddy wagon and had 20 people face down on the sidewalk minutes after they arrived. An “inspection” that resulted in a fractured skull, broken ribs, broken thumb and bruised shoulder.
No Justice No Peace!
TO MARK REED: Please don’t forget about the two “Straight Bars” that were also raided that evening. Please, make them some of those posters.
TO ARTHUR: Free Speech is Free Speech. We all get to say what we believe. I have made comments after thoughtful consideration of the FACTS. Disagree all you want, but it is very thin-skinned to call it “personal attacks.” That’s just incredibly silly.
Stonewall happened because of months of raids and abuse by the police. It happened spontaneously out of anger and bar patrons finally said “enough is enough.” I actually think THAT anger was honest and well-placed. Exaggerating the Fort Worth event to have “your very own modern Stonewall” is painful to watch.
For all the wish-it-was-another-Stonewall hopefuls: This is my opinion. It isn’t angry or hurtful or even anti-activism. It’s just accurate. The difference between us is that still want to believe that the event at Rainbow Lounge had nothing to do with GAY. So far, that’s what the evidence suggests. It also suggests one or two bad cops. They must be punished. It does not suggest “another Stonewall” or even any kind of premeditated attack on gays.
The preliminary investigations will be published soon. Let’s see what they contain.
Mark Reed: Is there a picture of the “20 people face down on the ground?” Can you share that with us?
One person, Chad was on the ground. Yesterday you said there were “4-5 cops kneeling on him.” Pictures showed 3 cops near him and NONE kneeling ON him. Today, we have 20 people face down in the streets at your “raid.”
Can I ask you something – Do you dream at night?
Wait a sec… According to Arthur…
“Brian’s post of July 10th is a personal attack on community activists and should be removed,” and “Brian needs to be censured.”
because… wait for it…
“Free speech is a verb that requires on-going use by citizens to have meaning and power.”
Now, it’s true that free speech is best when it “includes consideration for the facts, consideration for others in his community, and personal accountability,” but after reading this exhaustingly silly thread, it seems like Brian is the only one hoping to get real information while the rest are creating a frenzy of imagined injuries and offenses in an attempt to get more people in the streets.
One person was hurt. That is significant. Stick to what’s simple. Bonus points – it’s honest.
TO ARTHUR: You also said “There were 4 other cops that did not intervene to prevent the 1 or 2 bad cops from criminal acts, failing to intervene is a criminal act.”
Let me see if I understand this “spin” being used here. You are saying 4 cops watched 1 or 2 cops … what beat up a gay guy? What criminal acts did they ignore?
We have all concluded that whole idea of TABC “inspecting” bars and arresting drunk patrons is STUPID. We all agree that it will be changed soon. Drunk, STRAIGHT people were arrested at the other two bars that night – not just GAYS.
Something happened to Chad. He had a head injury – he wasn’t beaten, in fact he may have even “fallen.” He doesn’t remember. So, we don’t actually know yet. But, you and others keep characterizing the event as a raid on gay people, gay bashing or that gays were in some way “targeted.” There just isn’t any evidence of that. Sorry.
Rainbow Lounge Raid Rally
Tarrant County Courthouse
100 E Weatherford
Sunday, July 12
7:00 PM
Almost two weeks after the raid on the Rainbow Lounge we are still left with lots of questions and very little action by city, police and TABC officials. We are pleased that that TABC officers involved have been placed on desk duty and that calls for independent investigations have been made, but this is not nearly enough. On Sunday, July 12 the LGBT community of N Texas will stand together to call for answers from the Fort Worth Police Department, the TABC and an independent third party. We demand swift action condemning homophobia and violence against LGBT people!
Dr Stephen V Sprinkle associate professor of practical theology at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University, Chuck Potter witness to the raid at the Rainbow Lounge raid and Rick Vanderslice local radio and television personality are some who are set to speak. This brief but powerful event will recount the raid at the Rainbow Lounge, illustrate the injustices behind this incident and call out for action.
For more information please visit our website at http://www.queerliberaction.org
Note to Brian:
Thoughtfulness is good.
There are important places in communities for people who remain neutral and don’t get swept up in the emotions of the moment. They often wait and may contribute later.
That is highly respectable.
Activists often have the problem of leading communities that need to vent in time frames that don’t allow for slower more reasoned approaches.
In “free” societies there is really no way around the conflict that ensues between the reasoned approach and the need to vent.
The goal for the activists is always to draw something constructive out of their event. That doesn’t always happen. Whether they like it or not whatever happens becomes their responsibility.
They also get to share in whatever social good comes out of what they create. Even simple stuff like being able to socialize with your friends in a safe place. That can feel really good when there wasn’t safety before.
Note to Mark:
Thank you for your thoughtful note. I agree there are different methods of contributing.
I just believe that “exaggerating” the facts hurts us in the long run.
After this I’ll work on what people put in their Profile or Craigslist Ads. There, too exaggeration doesn’t work – not for long, anyways.
Brian – what I said was
“One or two bad cops is a possibility that will be reviewed in the course of investigations of fact, not innuendo and rumor. There were 4 other cops that did not intervene to prevent the 1 or 2 bad cops from criminal acts, failing to intervene is a criminal act.”
Omitting the first sentence changes the meaning of the second. TABC has stated their officers had responsibility for the injuries sustained by Chase Gibson.
Brian, lets discuss your statement, “Exaggerating the Fort Worth event to have “your very own modern Stonewall†is painful to watch.”
No one wants another Stonewall. No one wants out-of-control and homophobic cops. No one wants their name and address and place of work published in the paper as a result of a raid. No one wants to pay bribes to cops, judges, and lawyers to have morals charges dropped.
Stonewall is a historic event that ignited the passions of LGBT people everywhere.
Stonewall led to the The Gay Liberation movement. This movement was founded on joyous anger that created profound, lasting, and meaningful change for everyone. I know, I have been an activist from 1973 onward.
Stonewall has become a metaphor for the abuse of citizens by government.. I resent your implying that local anger was not honest and well-placed.
I will be sure to call you the next time I feel angry to see if my anger is honest and well-placed, I advise others in Texas do the same.
For anyone who believes that just the USA is watching the reaction to the incident at the Rainbow Lounge: this issue has become an international one. I was in Toronto last week, I was surprised to read about this incident in “NOW” the Toronto “alternative weekly.” Canadians, for whom same sex marriage has been national law for some time are now, are regarding the entire state of Texas with wonder.
Nash:
I think people around the World have begun to laugh at the over-reaction by Gays in Dallas.
This morning I saw a Wikipedia Post by Queer Liberaction that completely exaggerated the event at the Rainbow Lounge. I have asked them to fix it.
Towleroad and Queerty are covering this so-called “raid,” but they are beginning to see the light.
During the last month hundreds of bars in Texas have been inspected by TABC – that’s there job. There is NO evidence that they are handled any different the straight bars. None.
This small crowd of activists that is soooo anxious to get upset, should find a real target, not something they make up.