Fort Worth Police Chief Jeff Halstead Offers weak Apology to Victims of Police Brutality

By Kelli Anne Busey,

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersexed and Questioning community were offered an apology for the police brutality during the raid on the Rainbow Lounge. Many in the community wonder about the timing and value of Chief Halsteads apology and do not aggree with opinion being expressed in this video. We are also wondering why this apology has taken so long to be made.


Source NBCDFW

We are also wondering why Mayor Moncrief asked the Texas Attorney General to conduct a independent investigation and why the Attorneys Generals office took so long to reply.
What Happens in Ft. Worth Isn’t Staying There.

Clearly a Mayor of a major city would know or be advised that the attorney general would refuse such a request.

I would like to know why it took the attorney Generals office so long to respond.

We would like to know if the FBI was asked to investigate as the Attorney General suggested and what the FBI's response is.

I would like to know why it took two weeks for Mayor Moncrief to hold a public forum were the Rainbow Lounge incident could be discussed and why Mayor Moncrief was surprised when the LGBT community would not wait until the wee hours to discuss police brutality.

Yes Mayor Moncrief you may have to throw QueerLiberaction members out of council meetings again if you beat us, falsely arrest us, trample on our civil rights ND THEN ATTEMPT TO IGNORE US.
Gay Activists Kicked out of Council Hearing on Rainbow Lounge Raid.

Mayor Moncrief must be held accountable for the actions of men and woman who are empowered by the city to up hold the law.
Fort Worth TABC Supervisor steps down in wake of Rainbow Lounge Raid

The police chiefs apology IS weak. The officers who decided to wear unauthorized uniforms and beat up American citizens must be fired and arrested for breaching criminal and civilian law.

Rainbow Lounge Raid Rally at Tarrant County Courthouse


Top Blog Sites 'Police Brutality'

Fort Worth TABC Supervisor steps down in wake of Rainbow Lounge Raid

Source Dallas Voice;

"FORT WORTH — The administrator of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission said this week that two TABC agents involved in a raid of the Rainbow Lounge on June 28 committed multiple “clear violations” of agency policy."

"In an exclusive phone interview with Dallas Voice on Wednesday, July 15, TABC Administrator Alan 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."

Click here for Dallas Voice Article Administrator Steen acknowledges his agents violated policies, says FW supervisor has stepped down

Forth Worth Criminal Injustice / Queer LiberAction Today

Queer LiberAction Soap Box TODAY! Air your views on the Raid at Rainbow Lounge.

According to a letter sent by Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief in response to the TABC FT Worth joint actions the Fort Worth police do not have a reputation of heavy handedness, intimidation, inciting criminal behaviour, brutality and false arrests. Mayor Moncrief then go's on to state that although he is confidant that the investigation being pursued by his cities police force into the joint TABC Rainbow Lounge raid is in fact impartial and fair, just for good measure he is calling in the Federal Attorney Generals office now to make sure they do live up to all his expectations.

I say we can not leave this insurance up to the politicians and law enforcement agencies.
Anyone who has come into contact with the Fort Worth police department and announced that a act of civil disobedience was a possibility was informed by the local police that unlike anywhere else in our country, our actions would be pursued to the uppermost possiable level, by law enforcement!

In other words, in Fort Worth the police will trump up the charges, and escalate an incident in order to imprison and fine an individual to the fullest extent of the law. What occurs while one is in the custody of police is often obscured by societies acquiescence to brute force.

Sometimes our countries law does NOT satisfy the Fort Worth's police's desire to enforce it's own version of American justice.

Who else knows this? Evidently Fort Worth Mayor Moncrief does.

Source: Pegasus News content partner - Dallas Voice
by Taymme Nash

"This letter was sent out by Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief on Friday:"

"We all join in wishing Mr. Gibson a speedy and full recovery."

"Currently, two investigations are underway to review the circumstances and events that took place at the Rainbow Lounge early Sunday morning. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) is conducting an investigation and the Fort Worth Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division is conducting its own investigation."

"I join Police Chief Jeff Halstead in encouraging any eye-witnesses to the events under review to come forward and share their observations."

"Members of the City Council and I have confidence that Chief Halstead is leading a thorough and professional investigation. Once the Fort Worth Police Department’s examination is complete, I have asked the acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, James T. Jacks, to independently review the findings of the Fort Worth Police Department’s investigation to ensure the department has thoroughly and impartially carried out its obligation to all the citizens of Fort Worth. I encourage the TABC to follow the same course."

"Fort Worth has a history of inclusiveness, and the Fort Worth Police Department has a history of responsible and professional service to our citizens. The police department’s internal investigation and the outside review is meant to ensure all citizens are professionally and responsibly represented by our police department. I am most appreciative to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for assisting us in this effort."

MILK BOX~FT Worth~Responds to Rainbow Raid

Milk Box
Hosted by: Queer LiberAction
Queer LiberAction MySpace
Queer LiberAction.com

When:
Sunday, July 05, 2009 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM CDT (End Time Estimated)
Where:
Sundance Square, Houston and 3rd St. FT Worth Texas Google Map

In response to the raid at the Rainbow Lounge, Queer Liberaction is set to take its Milk box to Sundance Square in the heart of downtown Fort Worth this coming Sunday, July 5th at 7:00 PM. Those that were at the Rainbow Lounge Raid will speak on the events they witnessed.

Ambassadors and leaders from the Queer community will be setting up Queer Liberaction's Milk box outside of the gayborhood as a way to engage the public in a discussion on GLBT equality. Named in honor of Harvey Milk, our public free speech event is a fun and engaging way which encourages dialog regarding homophobia and the civil rights denied to GLBT people. Join Queer Liberaction as we stand up and speak OUT to our neighbors about how discrimination

Candlelight Vigil for Chad Gibson, Victim of Anti-Gay Police Violence July 1 2009

Ft Worth-- Queer Liberaction is organizing a Candlelight Vigil for Chad Gibson, 26, the victim of police violence last weekend at the Rainbow Lounge in Ft. Worth. The Vigil will commence around 8:30 PM Wednesday July 1, 2009 at the Rainbow Lounge at 651 South Jennings Avenue. The large North Texas Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgender (GLBT) community, and their Queer Allies is outraged by the actions of the Ft. Worth Police Departments tactics in raiding the bar and arresting its customers. The GLBT community is especially concerned over the condition of Mr. Gibson who, according to eyewitnesses, sustained sever injuries to the head by Ft. Worth Police officers as they attempted to arrest and handcuff him. According to family members of Mr. Gibson, if his brain swelling and bleeding continues, surgery may be necessary.

The GLBT community, of course, will continue to search for complete answers to the many questions still remaining from the Rainbow Lounge Raid. But, tomorrow evening, Wed. July 1, 2009, at 8:30 PM, our thoughts and prayers will be focused on Chad Gibson and his family. We will demonstrate our deep concern and full support for Chad and his family in a time honored, visual way with a Candlelight Vigil.

Rainbow Lounge Raid ~ Routine Inspection or Stonewall Retaliation Gay Bashing

WFAA TV VIDEO "Man hospitalized after inspection of gay bar"

By kelli Anne Busey
planetransgender
kellibusey@yahoo.com

Mayor Mike Moncrief
Mike.Moncrief@fortworthgov.org
817-392-6118

On the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, Fort Worth Texas police and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code (TABC) enforcement officers and possibly a State Police officer conducted what they described as a routine planned 'bar check'. According to the police report the owner had been notified earlier that a inspection was to take place at his newly open establishment. The owner was not overly concerned because in the past a bar check normally entailed officers quietly and unobtrusively checking driver license.

However this was not the case, this time.

The officers entered the Rainbow Lounge according to the Fort Worth Police Statement , to ensure the owners were complying with laws requiring them to provide "a safe environment for all", at 12:30 am on June 28, 2009.

TABC Code of Enforcement

Public Intoxication - A person commits an offense if the person appears in a public place while intoxicated to the degree that the person may endanger the person or another. [Section 49.02 Penal Code]

Public place means any place to which the public or a substantial group of the public has access and includes, but is not limited to, streets, highways, and the common areas of schools, hospitals, apartment houses, office buildings, transport facilities, and shops. [Section 1.07 Penal Code]

According to Shane Wells an entertainer who witnessed the first arrest, the officers randomly picked patrons to harass and intimidate in hopes of provoking a response. They then physically assaulted and arrested male patrons.

The woman who were present offered an account which is equally disturbing. Kayla Lane said an officer offered unwanted sexual advances after being asked what was going on. "He wouldn’t really answer my questions. although he did try to grab my hand and flirt with me (which was completely uninvited)."

Tiffany offered this comment on 'Instant Tea' "It seemed like the officers were provoking their victims as well. One man that had been arrested was standing on the side walk while an officer was being very aggressive and kept pushing the man around and trying to argue with him. The man finally asked him to stop touching him because he was just trying to stand still. It was really bizarre! None of the men that I saw arrested were visibly intoxicated and they all cooperated considering the way they were treated."

"This will not deter me from going back. I hope all that were arrested are giving them hell now. An injustice was done."

KDAF-TV Councilman Joel Burns Statement Concerning "Rainbow Lounge" Raid "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."

"Every Fort Worth citizen deserves to have questions around this incident answered and I am working aggressively toward."



*************************************

Media Contact:

Sergeant Pedro Criado

817-392-4214

Pedro.Criado@fortworthgov.org


PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

6/28/2009
FORT WORTH, TX -
PRESS RELEASE:

DETAILS AND SEQUENCE OF EVENTS LEADING TO A BAR CHECK AT THE RAINBOW LOUNGE:

On Thursday evening, June 6, 2009, a TABC Agent entered into NPD2 and teamed up with a patrol officer in order to conduct alcoholic beverage code inspections of area clubs. While they were out, they performed these inspections into the Friday morning hours. At approximately 10:00 p.m., Thursday evening, they stopped by the Rainbow Lounge located at 651 S. Jennings in anticipation of conducting an inspection as this club is newly opened and has not received an inspection before this date. While waiting on the supervisor to arrive, which is standard operating procedure, the owner of the Rainbow Lounge approached the officers asked if there was a problem. The TABC agent explained they were waiting on a patrol supervisor to make the scene before conducting an inspection of his establishment. An inspection at the Rainbow Lounge was not conducted on this date (Friday). Other locations, however, were inspected as a continuing effort to educate and enforce over serving alcohol to intoxicated individuals.

On Saturday morning, June 27, 2009, a person identifying himself as the owner of the Rainbow Lounge called the local police station and spoke with a supervisor to ascertain if there was a problem at the Rainbow Lounge. At approximately 3:30 p.m., a Fort Worth Police sergeant spoke with the owner of the Rainbow Lounge and explained they were conducting alcoholic beverage code inspections in the area. The owner advised the sergeant officers were welcome anytime to conduct an inspection of his establishment. The sergeant advised the owner of the Rainbow Lounge that officers would return to the area this evening to continue inspections and would inspect his establishment.

On Sunday morning, June 28, 2009, at 12:30 a.m., six (6) Fort Worth Police Officers, two (2) TABC agents and a supervisor conducted inspections at 160 W Rosedale (Rosedale Saloon and Cowboy Palace). This inspection resulted in nine (9) arrests. Once the inspection was completed at these locations, officers proceeded to the Rainbow Lounge.

Officers arrived at the Rainbow Lounge to conduct the scheduled inspection. Some officers remained outside while some entered the club. While walking through the Rainbow Lounge, an extremely intoxicated patron made sexually explicit movements toward the police supervisor. This individual was arrested for public intoxication. Another intoxicated individual also made sexually explicit movements towards another officer and he was arrested for public intoxication. A third individual inside the lounge assaulted the TABC agent by grabbing the TABC agent's groin. He was escorted outside and arrested for public intoxication. The decision was made to release him to paramedics due to his extreme intoxicated state as he was repeatedly vomiting. While dealing with this person, another officer requested assistance from inside the club as he had an intoxicated individual that was resisting arrest. This person was placed on the ground in an effort to control and apprehend. A total of seven (7) arrests were made from the Rainbow Lounge during this inspection. The total arrest count for the entire evening totaled 16.

Alcohol beverage code inspections are conducted frequently at establishments located within the city limits of Fort Worth. These are conducted in order to ensure a safe environment for all. A thorough internal investigation into the allegations made is being conducted as all allegations against officers are investigated.

Facebook Rainbow Lounge Raid

Instant Tea An eyewitness account from the Rainbow Lounge raid

KDAF-TV 33 Fort Worth Police Statement Concerning "Rainbow Lounge" Raid

Instant Tea Raid on Rainbow Lounge

Anyone who has any difficulties contacting mainstream media please email me at kellibusey@yahoo.com and I will make every effort to make sure your voice is heard.

Duanna Johnson's Death Will Not Stop MPD Lawsuit

The slaughter of Duanna Johnson will not stop Transgender Activists from continuing to press for JUSTICE in Memphis. Be it "police" or "Murdering Thugs" we will find out who murdered Duanna Johnson.

Kelli Busey
Dec. 02, 2008

Police face Gay Bating and bashing charges at RNC

Found on Queer Today a video of RNC protester Elliot Hughs by
Elliot Hughes recounts allegations of torture while being detained in Ramsey County Jail. Hughes was detained during an RNC08 protest after reportedly colliding with a police bicycle on accident. He was sent to Regions Hospital for treatment and later released without charges.



I had seen this Video a couple of days ago. I was appalled by the obvious attempt by police to initiate violence. Police can been seen riding bicycles into a group of protesters at the RNC. Elliot Hughes name was shouted a number of times in what sounds like someone attempting to document the event as the protester was arrested.

CODEPINKer Alicia Forrest slammed to the ground by a police officer