Fort Worth mayor apologizes for raid on gay bar

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Mayor of Fort Worth issues apologyFort Worth mayor Mike Moncrief apologized yesterday for the raid on the Rainbow Lounge in June, which drew national media attention sparking claims of brutality and procedural violations.

About 250 people packed council chambers and another 150 watched on televisions in the hallway or overflow rooms as officials briefly discussed the June 28 joint raid by the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission and the Fort Worth Police Department at the Rainbow Lounge, which left one man hospitalized with a serious head injury.

Moncrief told the meeting neither the TABC nor police had finished investigations into the raid, which initially had been called a routine license inspection. But the mayor said he has asked the U.S. Attorney’s Office to review the department’s findings.

Someone in the audience then called out for an apology.

“If you want an apology from the mayor of Fort Worth: I am sorry about what happened in Fort Worth,” Moncrief said, as the crowd erupted in applause and stood.

More from the city council meeting below.

[pro-player width=’425′ height=’360′ type=’video’ image=’http://image.cbslocal.com/24/2009/07/15/320×240/moncrief.jpg’]http://cbstv.vo.llnwd.net/e2/0018/flash/20090715063001_27873_000227p5000423p3.flv[/pro-player]

Investigations by the Fort Worth Police Department and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission into the incident are still ongoing. Moncrief has asked acting U.S. Attorney James Jacks to review their findings once they have been completed.

Post by ILO on 07/15/09 at 12:56 pm