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	lady_ganesh 2009-06-30 03:54 pm UTC (link)
	I don't even know what to say. (Reply to this)

	kernelm 2009-06-30 04:36 pm UTC (link)
	sigh And this happened practically in my backyard too. Fort Worth is actually a lot more progressive than most people would think, but shit like this shows we've still got a long way to go. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	lady_ganesh 2009-06-30 05:09 pm UTC (link)
	I was encouraged to see the comments from all the angry Fort Worth residents in the news article. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	finchbird 2009-07-01 01:05 am UTC (link)
	My inner cynical bitch was very happy to read many of the comments. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	bigbigtruck 2009-07-02 03:42 pm UTC (link)
	Yeah, seriously. That was a very pleasant surprise, given the barely literate chest-beating that usually occurs in news article comments. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	notjo 2009-06-30 04:58 pm UTC (link)
	But everything is so much better now! I know, because white straight cis guys keep telling me so! (Reply to this)

	dachelle 2009-06-30 05:03 pm UTC (link)
	I live in Fort Worth and was very saddened to hear about this. Joel Burns is the representative for my district, so I sent him an e-mail of support. I really hope there is a thorough investigation - there's no excuse for police brutality, and my thoughts are with the injured man. (Reply to this)

	oodlesoquim 2009-06-30 05:26 pm UTC (link)
	Wow, it's like Stonewall all over again. Yeah, saying that so I won't get more pissed off than I already am. (Reply to this)

	ayezur 2009-06-30 07:03 pm UTC (link)
	Really? On the anniversary of Stonewall they do this thing? Really, police guys? Bad move. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	redwarrior 2009-07-10 12:10 am UTC (link)
	That's what I was thinking. (Reply to this)(Parent)

dachelle
2009-06-30 10:24 pm UTC (link)

Just an update of a response I received from Councilmember Joel Burns about what is happening with the call for an investigation:

I wanted to let you know that I have received your email (along with hundreds of others) regarding the events that occurred at the Rainbow Lounge in Fort Worth's Near Southside Sunday morning.

I want to provide you with an update of some of the actions I and others in the City have taken since the incident.

Monday I met with my predecessor on Council, State Senator Wendy Davis, and spoke with State Representative Lon Burnam by phone. Both represent the area of Fort Worth where the Rainbow Lounge is located (as well as representing most of City Council District 9) and both committed to make official requests Monday for a thorough internal investigation by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission on actions of TABC officers (shown in photos on some blogs & new sites wearing shirts labeled "State Police"). Both also committed to follow-up from Austin as they begin the Governor's called Special Session on Wednesday. I appreciate not only their quick and ready action, but also their support and friendship in recent days. If you would like to contact them, you may do so at wendy.davis@senate.state.tx.us and lon.burnam@house.state.tx.us .

In addition, I met separately with Fort Worth Police Chief Jeff Halstead twice Monday and with City Manager Dale Fisseler. I reiterated to both of them that the City's investigation of what happened must be swift, thorough, open and transparent -- even if doing so required an outside law enforcement agency such as Tarrant County to come in and conduct portions of the investigation. It is important for those who live in Fort Worth as well as those watching from around the country to know that the investigation will be complete, accurate, and without anyone being able to claim that internal bias or political pressures played any role in determining the facts. Such an investigation not only serves the patrons who experienced the police action Sunday morning, but also sets the record straight for Fort Worth Police officers involved and honors their commitment to serve the City.

So that you may be fully informed of my actions, provided below this e-mail is the text of two written requests I made on Monday to Chief Halstead and City Manager Fisseler as well as to the Chairman of the Fort Worth Human Relations Commission, Estrus Tucker, and my appointee Lisa Thomas. The content of the statement I issued on Sunday afternoon is provided below as well.

I also want to share with you that on Monday afternoon I visited with Chad Gibson, the 26-year-old patron who sustained head-injuries Sunday morning, in his room at JPS Hospital. We were joined by two of his friends who were also at the Rainbow Lounge with Chad Sunday morning and also detained by police. I heard their accounts of what happened. I also visited with Chad's parents and grandparents in the waiting room and with his sister by phone. I hope you will please keep Mr. Gibson and his family in your thoughts.

If you or anyone you know was a witness to what happened at the Rainbow Lounge and wish to report your account please call 817-392-4270 as this may aid the City's investigation.

Like most of you, I love this great City, and am concerned about the unanswered questions surrounding this event. You can be assured that I will work with my Council colleagues and City staff to determine the facts and to make sure we have the appropriate policies, procedures and training in place to make sure it does not happen again.

Again, thank you for your email. Feel free to contact me anytime. This is my direct City email address and my office number is 817-392-8809.

Sincerely,
Joel Burns
Councilmember, District 9, City of Fort Worth

(Reply to this)(Thread)

	kelmendi 2009-07-01 12:21 am UTC (link)
	That's actually a pretty fantastic e-mail. I'm glad this is being taken seriously. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	dachelle 2009-07-01 01:07 am UTC (link)
	I think it does help that Joel Burns is a member of the gay community. I'll keep y'all updated with any progress on the investigation. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	sockpuppeteer 2009-07-01 12:31 am UTC (link)
	Good for him. I hope the cops and the people behind the cops in this have very uncomfortable backsides from this from all the kicking they are going to get. I wonder who they are going to put the blame on. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	finchbird 2009-07-01 01:02 am UTC (link)
	Thank you for posting this. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	dachelle 2009-07-01 01:04 am UTC (link)
	You're welcome. I'll try to update the community if and when an investigation takes place. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	kefanii 2009-07-01 04:51 am UTC (link)
	I'm really glad to read this, thanks for posting it. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	kijikun 2009-07-01 12:37 am UTC (link)
	Jesus fucking Christ Ft. Worth. You're why Dallas gets a bad rep, because we get lumped in with you dumb asses. (Reply to this)(Thread)

kijikun
2009-07-01 12:43 am UTC (link)

Not that Dallas does have its idiotic things, but I'd rather the cops be raiding sex shops for flesh colored sex toys than raiding gay and lesbian bars and beating the shit out of people.

But for fuck sake Fort Worth cops. I know any sort of weekend like pride or fourth of july or new years, gets increased police coverage on the streets, but what the fuck? I mean what the fuck? Just what the fuck.

Also NPR you have failed me by making me find out from twitter and unfunnybusiness. (or else I always tune in when they aren't doing local news.)

(Reply to this)(Parent)

	dachelle 2009-07-01 01:03 am UTC (link)
	Wow. So because some cops in Fort Worth are assholes, everyone in the entire city is a dumb ass? Well, good to know. If it helps, I'm always very quick to point out every time I travel that no, I'm not from Dallas. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	kijikun 2009-07-01 01:21 am UTC (link)
	Yeah, because I was really talking about everyone that lives in Fort Worth. And I would rather live in blue Dallas then in Ft. Worth. I've never been told off in public in Dallas for hold another girl's hand. Which I was in Forth Worth. At the Kimble of all places. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	dachelle 2009-07-01 02:19 am UTC (link)
	Sorry to be bitchy. It's been a crap day. And sorry to hear about what happened to you at the Kimbell. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	kijikun 2009-07-01 02:21 am UTC (link)
	I should have been a bit more specific about the fact I was made at the cops not all of Ft. Worth in general. I do scanning work on the FT-Star Telegram archives and Ft. Worth is a pretty damn good place. And I might be a bit biased about my city. XD Sorry about snapping at you. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	kijikun 2009-07-01 01:22 am UTC (link)
	And all in all I think most of Texas sucks and would rather be back on the east cost. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	dachelle 2009-07-01 01:03 am UTC (link)
	Wow. So because some cops in Fort Worth are assholes, everyone in the entire city is a dumb ass? Well, good to know. If it helps, I'm always very quick to point out every time I travel that no, I'm not from Dallas. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	tokaikko 2009-07-01 02:53 am UTC (link)
	Can I move to a galaxy that doesn't make me want to kill myself now? (Reply to this)

	rosehiptea 2009-07-01 03:31 am UTC (link)
	Rainbow Lounge owner J.R. Schrock said claims that patrons made sexual advances to the officers and that one patron groped an officer were lies. That's what the police are using as an excuse? Pathetic. And enraging. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	nifflet 2009-07-01 03:20 pm UTC (link)
	That they even attempt to use gay panic as a defence makes me a special kind of pissed-off. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	honorh 2009-07-01 07:55 am UTC (link)
	Why were they conducting raids on bars? That's what I want to know. And "public intoxication" in a bar? Correct me if I'm wrong--I don't drink much or go to bars as a rule, so I could be mistaken--but don't people go to bars in order to, um, drink and perhaps get drunk? If one of the officers tries a "gay panic" defense, I must go stabbity. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	dachelle 2009-07-01 03:29 pm UTC (link)
	It's part of Governor Good Hair's plan to reduce drunk driving. No, seriously. Bud Kennedy of the Star-Telegram had a good column on the fallout from the raid today: http://www.star-telegram.com/budkennedy/ (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	honorh 2009-07-02 12:44 am UTC (link)
	Ye gods. I go off to Japan and America goes mad. This is not a coincidence. I think Gov. Good Hair is about to find himself having a very bad hair day. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	fern_on_fen 2009-07-03 10:16 pm UTC (link)
	Gov. Good Hair is also trying to seceede and make sure that even if National Health Care passes, that TEXANS won't have to have it. sigh I hate my state. I'm so self-loathing because of it too. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	nostariel 2009-07-01 10:59 pm UTC (link)
	WHAT IS THIS I DON'T EVEN (Reply to this)

	wrenlet 2009-07-02 12:32 am UTC (link)
	I recall the early police statement noted that one of the arrestees was "so intoxicated he was vomiting" which -- and check me if I'm wrong on this -- IS ALSO A SYMPTOM OF HEAD TRAUMA. seethes I've asked myself in the past what it would take to make me leave Texas. If it weren't for child visitation/job issues right now, this would do it. (Reply to this)

piasharn
2009-07-02 06:03 am UTC (link)

Cue the gay panic defense. Anyone else want to strangle Jeff Halstead, the Chief of Police?

"You’re touched and advanced in certain ways by people inside the bar, that’s offensive. I’m happy with the restraint used when they were contacted like that."

Slamming a man onto the floor so hard that it causes a bleed in his brain is restraint?

I take x-rays and CT scans for a living, so I've done a lot of exams on people who have suffered head injuries, and I've seen some pretty nasty trauma cases. It takes quite a bit of force to cause a bleed, especially when the person is young and healthy. I've seen people who had the shit beaten out of them, who have been thrown from their vehicles during car accidents, some rather gruesome motorcycle accidents, even someone who was run over by a train. And you know what? Only a very small percentage of them had bleeds in their brains as a result of what happened to them.

The majority of those incidents didn't cause bleeds, but your officers, who were, according to you, using "restraint" somehow managed to do so? WTF?

Oh, and Chief, does this mean that if I'm out one night, and some drunk guy starts hitting on me or touching me, that I can give him brain damage too and use the excuse that his actions were making me uncomfortable? After all, I'm showing restraint, aren't I?

And it appears that some of those lewd gestures bar patrons made at the cops included a... peace sign?

George Armstrong, 41, said he had been at the Rainbow Lounge about 30 minutes and had ordered one drink when officers stormed inside. He said as on officer passed him, he smiled and flashed the peace sign, but then he was suddenly grabbed and tackled to the floor with his arm twisted behind his back.

"He was yelling at me to stop resisting arrest, but I wasn't doing anything. It was horrible. I really thought he had broken my shoulder," Armstrong told The Associated Press on Monday. "I've never been so embarrassed and humiliated. I didn't do anything to him."

Armstrong was arrested, but he said no officers advised him of his Miranda rights or administered any tests to determine his blood-alcohol level.

So, you're supposedly arresting people for being drunk, but then you don't even bother to administer a breathalizer test?

Chad Gibson, the man who was arrested for being drunk ('cause he was falling down and vomiting, and the aforementioned Police Chief doesn't seem to think that this had anything to do with the fact that officers slammed Gibson into a wall and then threw him onto a hard, brick floor), has had his condition upgraded to 'fair'.

His sister reports that the blood clot in his brain has stopped growing, which is a good sign. While the clot will eventually be absorbed by the surrounding tissue, this process could take up to two years, and there is still a risk that the clot could break loose, causing more damage and putting Gibson's life at risk.

A fund is being set up to help with Gibson's medical bills. Right now, donations can be made at any Frost Bank in Texas (see link for details) and it should soon be possible to donate online.

Hang in there, Chad.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

	kijikun 2009-07-02 07:56 am UTC (link)
	I was in tears this afternoon listening to NPRs program on the Stonewall rebellion (they had to witness on), hearing what they were saying about what happened that night and remembering what had happened only a few days ago in my state. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	nostariel 2009-07-02 09:39 pm UTC (link)
	Oh my God. "They were being GAY around me! I had to beat them until they were near death for my own safety! I mean, what if I caught TEH GHEY?!" I want these cops to go to jail. A lawsuit is not enough for this shit. I wonder if the family can set up one of those widgets like was done for Verb Noire? That way we can all post it in our journals and websites and stuff. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	dachelle 2009-07-02 10:09 pm UTC (link)
	Another update - the FW PD has suspended operations between the Fort Worth police and the TABC. http://www.dallasvoice.com/instant-tea/2009/07/02/fw-police-chief-suspends-operations-with-tabc/ I think they're trying to shift the blame primarily to the TABC. Frankly, I think both the FWPD and the TABC need to be thoroughly investigated. (Reply to this)