Jul 062009
Chad Gibson, who was injured in a raid at the Rainbow Lounge in Forth Worth on the anniversary of the Stone Wall riots, is now out of the hospital and calling for the prosecution of the those involved.
On June 28, Chad Gibson was at the Rainbow Lounge when two TABC and seven Fort Worth police officers conducted a bar check at the newly opened gay nightclub in Fort Worth. Witnesses said the unprovoked officers manhandled Gibson and slammed him to the ground. Police said Gibson was intoxicated and grabbed an officer’s groin.
Now, Gibson said he wants the officers involved in the raid prosecuted. He also called the response by the city of Fort Worth a cover-up.
Although the city has asked the U.S. Attorney General to review the investigation, Gibson said he has lost all confidence in law enforcement.
“You used excessive force and that’s why I got hurt,” he said.
…
Gibson said the city and officers have pointed the blame in the wrong direction.
“They have blamed it on me, that I was drunk [and] that I hit my head,” he said. “I groped the officer. I did this. I did that. You know what, no … Accept responsibility.”
Gibson said he is also frustrated at the city pointing the blame at the TABC.
“Even if the Fort Worth Police didn’t touch me, they watched it,” he said. “They watched other people do that to me.”
Watch Gibson’s interview at WFAA-TV.
Jun 292009
Fort Worth police fractured the skull of a patron while raiding the newly opened Rainbow Lounge on the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Patrons claimed the police used excessive and unnecessary force during the raid and were targeted because they were gay. Police countered that patrons resisted arrest and made “sexually explicit movements.” Seven individuals were arrested.
Openly gay Fort Worth city councilman Joel Burns made the following statement:
It is unfortunate that this incident occurred in Fort Worth and even more so to have occurred on the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall protests. Unlike 40 years ago, though, the people of this community have elective representation that will make sure our government is accountable and that the rights of all of its citizens are protected. I are working together with our Mayor, Police Chief, the City of Fort Worth Human Relations Commission, and our State Legislative colleagues to get a complete and accurate accounting of what occurred.
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.
CBS affiliate channel 11 out of Dallas reports:
[pro-player width=”425″ height=”360″ image=”https://inlookout.com/video/rainbowlounge.jpg”]https://inlookout.com/video/rainbowlounge.flv[/pro-player]
Chad Gibson is still hospitalized for a fractured skull and remains in critical condition.
The more things change, the more they stay the same, it seems.