If you haven’t read, early into Sunday, law enforcement officials raided a gay bar in Fort Worth, Texas and used what patrons called excessive force. One man was hospitalized with a brain injury in the incident that coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York. See some great reporting on this at the Dallas Voice’s Instant Tea Blog. HRC issued a statement yesterday afternoon.
Said HRC President Joe Solmonese:
“Brutality at the hands of law enforcement is never acceptable and these allegations demonstrate the need for a thorough and impartial investigation. We applaud the Fort Worth community for seeking answers to these very serious charges.”
Fort Worth police officers and Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission agents arrested seven patrons at the Rainbow Lounge early Sunday while conducting an alcoholic beverage code inspection of the bar. Witnesses to the event say the officers used excessive force – in some cases slamming patrons to the ground.
According to the Dallas Voice, one patron, Chad Gibson, is in intensive care for a head injury following the incident. Dozens of local residents protested at the county courthouse yesterday and the Fort Worth Police Department has issued a statement saying they are investigating the allegations internally.
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