07/17/2009
TABC Chief Apologizes for Fort Worth Gay Bar Raid
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission administrator Alan Steen apologized for the raid on the Rainbow Lounge in Fort Worth, Texas, (which fell, coincidentally, on the 40th anniversary of the NYC Stonewall riots), saying that the agency clearly committed "multiple violations" and that an "excessive show of force" was used during the incident:
"Steen also said the supervisor directly
responsible for the two agents — a sergeant in TABC’s Fort Worth
district office — announced his retirement last week in the wake of the
raid and amid an ongoing internal investigation. Steen didn’t identify
the sergeant or the agents by name...Steen said if the two agents, who are on desk duty pending the outcome
of the investigation, sought approval from the supervisor before the
Rainbow Lounge inspection, it shouldn’t have been granted. The agents
were accompanied by six Fort Worth police officers. Steen said he doesn’t think there was sufficient cause for the
inspection, which apparently was based on the fact that one person had
been arrested for public intoxication at the Rainbow Lounge on
Thursday, June 25. Steen also indicated that the eight law enforcement
officers and the paddy wagon that were present likely constituted an
excessive show of force...Steen added that the agents also shouldn’t have been wearing “special
events uniforms,” which are prohibited during bar inspections. TABC
agents typically conduct bar inspections in plain clothes."
Posted 10:00 AM EST by Andy Towle in Fort Worth, Gay Bar, Law Enforcement, News, Texas |
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You know. I've been reading about this event for a while now, and I have to say with all the apologizing going on, if I had been a party to the Rainbow Lounge raid, I would seriously be considering a class action law suit against the city for its actions. They may not like gays, and they can give mouth service apologies all day long, but one thing they WILL understand is a legal action brought against them as a result of their bigotry. Hit them in their wallets, that's where they will really feel the sting.
Posted by: Darren | Jul 17, 2009 10:27:00 AM
And people wonder why there needs to be federal hate crime legislation, it's becomes sometimes hate crimes are actually committed by state agencies and local police.
This better result in criminal prosecutions.
Posted by: John M | Jul 17, 2009 10:37:48 AM
Enjoy your retirement Sergeant. It would be nice to see you go to jail instead.
Posted by: SFshawn | Jul 17, 2009 11:45:45 AM
"The supervisor directly responsible for the two agents — a sergeant in TABC’s Fort Worth district office — announced his retirement last week"
Now that's what I call disciplinary action.
Retiring and drawing a pension.
WHAT A JOKE!
Posted by: Jake | Jul 17, 2009 11:52:55 AM
I'm with Darren on this one. The poor guy who suffered a brain injury should sue the living fuck out of the TABC (et al). I work with brain injury patients all the time... it's heartbreaking. He's in my prayers.
Posted by: The Milkman | Jul 17, 2009 12:32:16 PM
I have just received news that the Fort Worth City Council has a call for an independent investigation on their agenda on Tuesday.
This could be a major move forward to truth.
Posted by: Marlin Bynumm | Jul 17, 2009 12:59:35 PM
more power to the queers. only a decade or so ago this type of abuse would have gone unnoticed, a mere blip in the moral radar.
i, too, agree with DARREN. hold those muthafuckahs accountable. make them pay out the ass. if we can't jog their minds, let's jog their coffers. to paraphrase MLK: we may not make them love us, but we can sure make them respect our rights.
Posted by: nic | Jul 17, 2009 8:19:31 PM