Ft Worth-- Queer Liberaction is organizing a Candlelight Vigil for Chad Gibson, 26, the victim of police violence last weekend at the Rainbow Lounge in Ft. Worth. The Vigil will commence around 8:30 PM Wednesday July 1, 2009 at the Rainbow Lounge at 651 South Jennings Avenue. The large North Texas Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgender (GLBT) community, and their Queer Allies is outraged by the actions of the Ft. Worth Police Departments tactics in raiding the bar and arresting its customers. The GLBT community is especially concerned over the condition of Mr. Gibson who, according to eyewitnesses, sustained sever injuries to the head by Ft. Worth Police officers as they attempted to arrest and handcuff him. According to family members of Mr. Gibson, if his brain swelling and bleeding continues, surgery may be necessary.
The GLBT community, of course, will continue to search for complete answers to the many questions still remaining from the Rainbow Lounge Raid. But, tomorrow evening, Wed. July 1, 2009, at 8:30 PM, our thoughts and prayers will be focused on Chad Gibson and his family. We will demonstrate our deep concern and full support for Chad and his family in a time honored, visual way with a Candlelight Vigil.
6/30/09
6/29/09
North Texas Queer LiberAction Gears up for – 'STONEWALL 2009'
THE RAINBOW LOUNGE RAID – STONEWALL 2009
An update of upcoming events from Queer LiberAction
"This past Sunday, June 28th was the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellions, the moment which sparked our civil rights movement. At Stonewall we were indignant and outraged. With this anger we got energized, got creative and got organized and stood up to society to proclaim that we are not going to be treated like any less than the human beings that we are."
"Forty years on, GLBT people are still being harassed and brutalized within their own bars and clubs. At about 1:00 AM on the exact anniversary of Stonewall, the Fort Worth Police, along with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), raided the Rainbow Lounge. A patty wagon along with several police cars were parked outside as the police entered with plastic handcuffs ready to make arrests."
"The Fort Worth Police are claiming that arrests were made for public intoxication. You can’t get drunk at a bar in Texas anymore? The police are also claiming that customers made “sexually explicit movements toward the police supervisor” and that other officers were “groped'."
"Customers from the Rainbow Lounge have a sharply different account of the events. First hand accounts indicate that this raid was a clear-cut case of police brutality and harassment. These sorts of vile intimidation techniques must not be allowed to pass without angry condemnation from the North Texas LGBT community. "
"While there is still uncertainty as to the exact number of arrests made, those who were present at the Rainbow Lounge that evening are reporting that about fifteen people were arrested."
"Violence was used to such an extent that a Rainbow Lounge customer, Chad Gibson, is still in the ICU suffering from internal hemorrhaging on the brain. His condition is reported to be worsening. Our thoughts and prayers are with Chad and the Gibson family."
"Please visit the Dallas Voice Instant Tea blog for a more complete story and for the latest developments. "
"LGBT North Texas will rally again at the Tarrant County Courthouse on Sunday, July 12 at 7:00 PM. If in the next two weeks there is city-wide condemnation of the Rainbow Lounge Raid then the rally will then be one to congratulate the city on their swift and sharp action. On the other hand, if first hand reports still contradict the official story, if arresting officers are not seriously disciplined, if the officer responsible for Chad Gibson’s brain hemorrhage is still an active member of the Fort Worth Police Department, if apologies are not issued by the mayor, Mike Moncrief, and the Fort Worth Police Chief, Jeffery Halstead then the tone of the rally will adequately express the indignation from our community regarding the City of Fort Worth’s less than aggressive response to homophobia and police brutality. "
"All the information coming out regarding the Rainbow Lounge Raid is all very new and a single consistent story has been difficult to establish. Please keep checking Queer Liberaction’s website for the latest steps we will be taking in the coming weeks."
Queer Liberaction
lgbtliberaction@gmail.com
Walk With Me
I needed to be reminded how wondrous and beautiful our lives are. Reverend Eric Folkerth from Northaven Methodist in Dallas Texas sings!
enjoy
enjoy
Rainbow Lounge Raid ~ Routine Inspection or Stonewall Retaliation Gay Bashing
WFAA TV VIDEO "Man hospitalized after inspection of gay bar"By kelli Anne Busey
planetransgender
kellibusey@yahoo.com
Mayor Mike Moncrief
Mike.Moncrief@fortworthgov.org
817-392-6118
On the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, Fort Worth Texas police and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code (TABC) enforcement officers and possibly a State Police officer conducted what they described as a routine planned 'bar check'. According to the police report the owner had been notified earlier that a inspection was to take place at his newly open establishment. The owner was not overly concerned because in the past a bar check normally entailed officers quietly and unobtrusively checking driver license.
However this was not the case, this time.
The officers entered the Rainbow Lounge according to the Fort Worth Police Statement , to ensure the owners were complying with laws requiring them to provide "a safe environment for all", at 12:30 am on June 28, 2009.
TABC Code of Enforcement
Public Intoxication - A person commits an offense if the person appears in a public place while intoxicated to the degree that the person may endanger the person or another. [Section 49.02 Penal Code]
Public place means any place to which the public or a substantial group of the public has access and includes, but is not limited to, streets, highways, and the common areas of schools, hospitals, apartment houses, office buildings, transport facilities, and shops. [Section 1.07 Penal Code]
According to Shane Wells an entertainer who witnessed the first arrest, the officers randomly picked patrons to harass and intimidate in hopes of provoking a response. They then physically assaulted and arrested male patrons.
The woman who were present offered an account which is equally disturbing. Kayla Lane said an officer offered unwanted sexual advances after being asked what was going on. "He wouldn’t really answer my questions. although he did try to grab my hand and flirt with me (which was completely uninvited)."
Tiffany offered this comment on 'Instant Tea' "It seemed like the officers were provoking their victims as well. One man that had been arrested was standing on the side walk while an officer was being very aggressive and kept pushing the man around and trying to argue with him. The man finally asked him to stop touching him because he was just trying to stand still. It was really bizarre! None of the men that I saw arrested were visibly intoxicated and they all cooperated considering the way they were treated."
"This will not deter me from going back. I hope all that were arrested are giving them hell now. An injustice was done."
KDAF-TV Councilman Joel Burns Statement Concerning "Rainbow Lounge" Raid "Rest assured that neither the people of Fort Worth, nor the city government of Fort Worth, will tolerate discrimination against any of its citizens. And know that the GLBT Community is an integral part of the economic and cultural life of Fort Worth."
"Every Fort Worth citizen deserves to have questions around this incident answered and I am working aggressively toward."
*************************************
Media Contact:
Sergeant Pedro Criado
817-392-4214
Pedro.Criado@fortworthgov.org
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
6/28/2009
FORT WORTH, TX -
PRESS RELEASE:
DETAILS AND SEQUENCE OF EVENTS LEADING TO A BAR CHECK AT THE RAINBOW LOUNGE:
On Thursday evening, June 6, 2009, a TABC Agent entered into NPD2 and teamed up with a patrol officer in order to conduct alcoholic beverage code inspections of area clubs. While they were out, they performed these inspections into the Friday morning hours. At approximately 10:00 p.m., Thursday evening, they stopped by the Rainbow Lounge located at 651 S. Jennings in anticipation of conducting an inspection as this club is newly opened and has not received an inspection before this date. While waiting on the supervisor to arrive, which is standard operating procedure, the owner of the Rainbow Lounge approached the officers asked if there was a problem. The TABC agent explained they were waiting on a patrol supervisor to make the scene before conducting an inspection of his establishment. An inspection at the Rainbow Lounge was not conducted on this date (Friday). Other locations, however, were inspected as a continuing effort to educate and enforce over serving alcohol to intoxicated individuals.
On Saturday morning, June 27, 2009, a person identifying himself as the owner of the Rainbow Lounge called the local police station and spoke with a supervisor to ascertain if there was a problem at the Rainbow Lounge. At approximately 3:30 p.m., a Fort Worth Police sergeant spoke with the owner of the Rainbow Lounge and explained they were conducting alcoholic beverage code inspections in the area. The owner advised the sergeant officers were welcome anytime to conduct an inspection of his establishment. The sergeant advised the owner of the Rainbow Lounge that officers would return to the area this evening to continue inspections and would inspect his establishment.
On Sunday morning, June 28, 2009, at 12:30 a.m., six (6) Fort Worth Police Officers, two (2) TABC agents and a supervisor conducted inspections at 160 W Rosedale (Rosedale Saloon and Cowboy Palace). This inspection resulted in nine (9) arrests. Once the inspection was completed at these locations, officers proceeded to the Rainbow Lounge.
Officers arrived at the Rainbow Lounge to conduct the scheduled inspection. Some officers remained outside while some entered the club. 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. The decision was made to release him to paramedics due to his extreme intoxicated state as he was repeatedly vomiting. While dealing with this person, another officer requested assistance from inside the club as he had an intoxicated individual that was resisting arrest. This person was placed on the ground in an effort to control and apprehend. A total of seven (7) arrests were made from the Rainbow Lounge during this inspection. The total arrest count for the entire evening totaled 16.
Alcohol beverage code inspections are conducted frequently at establishments located within the city limits of Fort Worth. These are conducted in order to ensure a safe environment for all. A thorough internal investigation into the allegations made is being conducted as all allegations against officers are investigated.
Facebook Rainbow Lounge Raid
Instant Tea An eyewitness account from the Rainbow Lounge raid
KDAF-TV 33 Fort Worth Police Statement Concerning "Rainbow Lounge" Raid
Instant Tea Raid on Rainbow Lounge
Anyone who has any difficulties contacting mainstream media please email me at kellibusey@yahoo.com and I will make every effort to make sure your voice is heard.
6/27/09
ENDA Contact Democrats Who Are Not Voting YES!
ENDA has arrived at Capitol Hill. OUR time is NOW. We must pass ENDA now that we have a majority in the House.
Some Democrats have not yet indicated a yes vote.
IT is OUR TIME NOW.
These links will help you to find and contact your legislator.
On Facebook? Click here for an Inclusive ENDA
Not on Facebook? No problem. Click here to find out who your representatives are.
Set up a meeting with your representative in August.
Dr. Jillian T. Weiss, Co-chair, Inclusive ENDA has formatted a Google document which she will send a printed copy of to your Legislator and schedule a meeting during the Month of August while they are in your home district.
We must act now to pass the legal protections we need.
6/25/09
Bloggers International News in Iran : آیا نمی ترسید باشید We are all Iranians
Caution Graphic Murder and Death not shown on commercial news outlets.
Vertaal, Ελληνικά , По-русски, En español, Auf deutsch, Translate, عوف ، ترجمة
Ahmadinejad, you may never claim again to not beleive in the final solution.
From Mir Hossein Mousavi Facebook page;
"Mir Hossein Mousavi میر حسین موسویOk, now all the world are going to show their supports to Iranains... This Friday, We all are going to send GREEN BALLOONS to the sky to show that now ALL PEOPLE OF THE WORLD ARE IRANIAN. On 9/11 everybody was American, NOW THE WORLD IS IRANIAN. جمعه (ساعت ۱) آسمان تهران را سبز میکنیم. بادکنکهای سبزتان نشان آزادی طلبی مردم ایران. برای با لا رفتن بادکنکهایتان از هیدروژن یا دود میتوانید استفاده کنید.ا14 "
On April 2009 I did a story about the Iranian Supreme Councils pending rulings. http://planetransgender.blogspot.com/2009/04/iran-death-penality-for-children-and.html They were in the process of deciding whether children and bloggers in Iran may be put to death for having dissenting opinions and publishing them over the Internet.
وكان عادل إطار التضميد. تنفيذ الحكومة الايرانية امس مذبحة واسعة النطاق ضد شعبها. إيقاف هذه التحديثات Twitter من الايراني منشق 21 ساعة قبل في مكافحة الإرهاب 0736 25 حزيران/يونيه 2009.
That was just window dressing. The Iranian goverment yesterday implemented full scale massacre against its own people. These Twitter updates from a dissident Iranian stopped 21 hours ago as of 0736 CT June 25, 2009.
Last Tweets from Persiankwiwi
Allah - you are the creator of all and all must return to you - Allah Akbar - #Iranelection Sea of Green
about 21 hours ago from web
thank you ppls 4 supporting Sea of Green - pls remember always our martyrs - Allah Akbar - Allah Akbar - Allah Akbar #Iranelection
about 21 hours ago from web
we must go - dont know when we can get internet - they take 1 of us, they will torture and get names - now we must move fast - #Iranelection
about 21 hours ago from web
Everybody is under arrest & cant move - Mousavi - Karroubi even rumour Khatami is in house guard - #Iranelection -
about 21 hours ago from web
they pull away the dead into trucks - like factory - no human can do this - we beg Allah for save us - #Iranelection
about 21 hours ago from web
Lalezar Sq is same as Baharestan - unbelevable - ppls murdered everywhere - #Iranelection
about 21 hours ago from web
they catch ppl with mobile - so many killed today - so many injured - Allah Akbar - they take one of us - #Iranelection
about 21 hours ago from web
in Baharestan we saw militia with axe choping ppl like meat - blood everywhere - like butcher - Allah Akbar - #Iranelection RT RT RT
governments of Iran, China and Russia did not know how much the world cares. They thought they could silence the voice of freedom from their country with borders and political expulsions, then by decree then and threat failing that, by a show of force.
All that was left for ahmadinejad or Hitler is the final solution. Like any desperate tyrant he will be defied by the human spirit. This is universal, forever. Now they are committing genocide against our brothers and sisters.
Ahmadinejad, you may never claim again to not beleive in the final solution.
No you will NOT silence ME. We are all Iranians Today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)