Three different official investigations — one by TABC, one by the Fort Worth Police Department and one by the U.S. Attorney General. That means that people who were there that night and saw all or part of what happened are being asked to give their testimony about what they saw to as many as three different agencies.
But to make that somewhat daunting task easier, activists in Fort Worth have arranged two “statement gathering events,” both in the fellowship hall at Celebration Community Church. One is from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today (Tuesday) and the other is 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday. You can even go online to RainbowLoungeRaid.com to find tools to help you get your testimony organized before you even get there.
They have PDF downloads that include a diagram of the bar so you can mark where you were when the raid occurred and a list of specific questions that will help you focus your memories and give a more accurate description of what you saw.
They have also asked that no media attend the two sessions, allowing those who don’t want their identity known to have a degree of anonymity, and organizers have noted that you can give your testimony anonymously as well.
Celebration Community Church is located at 908 Pennsylvania Ave. Investigating officers from all three ongoing investigations will be in attendance along with free legal representatives to help advise you in giving your statement or to join you while you do so. If you have any concerns about anonymity or avoiding media coverage, please contact Pastor Carol West at 817-437-2233. If you have any questions regarding the witness process or the details of these two events, contact Tom Anable at 817-269-8399.
8 Comments
So, we’re calling it a “raid” instead of an “inspection?” That’s good activist marketing.
raid seems appropriate, considering it has been used in almost every other press piece about this. most inspections don’t wind up with 20 people face down on the sidewalk with fractured skulls and various other injuries.
Lets review:
INSPECTION
–noun
1. the act of inspecting or viewing, esp. carefully or critically:
RAID
 –noun
1. a sudden assault or attack, as upon something to be seized or suppressed
There is no doubt in my mind which word applied that night. There was nothing “careful” or “critical” about it.
20 people face down Brian? Fractured skulls?
The word “raid” is used in the Press because the local activists have called it that. That evening two straight bars were “raided,” too – right? TABC “raids” bars all the time, but they are called “inspections.”
There was no “sudden attack,” in fact the owner of the Rainbow Lounge knew they were coming. I guess the TABC and Fort Worth Police “scheduled” the raid, huh?
Something terrible happened that night. It clearly got out of control and one person was hurt. But, at this point there is no evidence whatsoever that the cops and TABC “raided” a gay bar. You may be hopeful to make comparisons to Stonewall, but it isn’t comparable. Stonewall was an angry, spontaneous response to months of police abuse (some suggest years).
Some people are putting their own self-interest ahead of the truth regarding the events at the Rainbow Lounge. Just because they are “activists” or reporters for the gay community, they do not need to exaggerate – the “wishful thinking” shows.
For example, Blake at Queer Liberaction sent out an email about the little milk box in Fort Worth Sunday evening. In the glowing email Blake proclaims:
“close to 200 people attended the protest. ”
The reporter for the Star Telegram said:
“Dozens of protesters converged on downtown Fort Worth ….”
I spoke to that reporter today. He said “maybe 5 or 6 dozen,” that’s 60-72 people. I asked if it was an “estimate and he say he counted a few times and had 60-70 each time.
So, Blake saw three times as many people there? Just like the other protests and Marches. Was it thousands or “about 300” at the Million Gay March? Or did the Dallas Morning News lie, too.
When will people in this community learn it is more important for us to be honest than to keep exaggerating? Those that hope to benefit from the exaggeration keep doing it. When the truth is known, the rest of us will suffer.
Mark, It is not an inspection when a patron ends up in the hospital and the excuse that the police force claimed. The “gay panic” defense? Puh-lease.
Good Morning Everyone!
Apparently Mark was at the Rainbow Lounge that night. Mark would you please share your experience at the Rainbow Lounge with us since you seem to know exactly what happened? We’re all so eager to hear your side of the story!
Connor:
We don’t know what happened yet. Why not wait for the investigation – or are you paranoid about that, too? Another part of the vast anti-gay conspiracy, huh?
I do not see any need for protests and demands. Let’s see what the investigations conclude. I have heard there is some video from the TABC and it should be available soon.