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Loading ...Forth Worth resident breaks his silence about Rainbow Lounge raid
07.06.2009 1:00pm EDT
(Fort Worth) Chad Gibson, a Fort Worth resident who was allegedly hurt the worst during a police raid of the gay club the Rainbow Lounge, is finally speaking out about his arrest.
Protestors have frequently been speaking out about the questionable raid that resulted in sending Gibson to the hospital for seven days with head injuries. The incident occurred on June 28 when two TABC and seven Fort Worth police officers raided the newly opened Rainbow Lounge nightclub. This is the first time Gibson has spoken about his arrest.According to witnesses, Gibson was manhandled by officers and slammed to the ground, even though they were unprovoked. Police have constructed a different story, saying an intoxicated Gibson grabbed an officer’s groin.
Gibson finally broke his silence last night to WFAA-TV in Fort Worth. He told a WFAA reporter that he wants the officers involved in the raid to be prosecuted, saying the response by the city of Fort Worth has been a cover up.
“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 is still fearful of a blood clot located behind his right eye.
“I’m scared that something might happen,” Gibson said. “It might start bleeding.”
The incident is currently being investigated by Forth Worth police.
Read the full WFAA-TV story and watch Gibson’s interview here.
Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery. I hope that he is able to withstand the lies and defamation that are sure to come from the police officers. I also hope that he gets a good lawyer and sues the officers that took part in the raid, the police chief who defamed him, and the Mayor of the City, as well as the city itself. Meanwhile, we should let the mayor and other officials know that we will not be visiting Fort Worth until we feel safe there.
First it was Stonewall. Now it WILL be the RAINBOW LOUNGE that will catalyze the GLBT people.
I hope that you will feel better Chad.
It sounds like the Police force figured they could just make up a story about a gay person touching them and justify whatever violence they did. This is a very dangerous message to send not to mention the stereotypes they are playing to. The other patrons do not seem to corroborate the police reports. Aside from that I don’t know that you can justify neurological damage by simply saying that one of “them” touched one of “us.”
The Atty Gen’l will review whatever is decided. That’s great, because everyone knows what a fierce supporter of GLBT rights and issues he is. Almost on par with our Prez.
Chad, it’s good to hear that you’re conscious. Best wishes man!
We can support him with help for medical bills, but we can also support him by writing Fort Worth politicians and the Chamber of Commerce. I’m doing this now. Look back at the thread on the police chief for e-mail addresses; if they’re not there, then check the link for Dan Savage’s site (www.thestranger.com), because that’s where I got them. Don’t have an address for complaints or comments to the Texas ABC, but that should be on the state website.
Don’t blame all Texans. Push to hold the specific police officers, TABC agents, and the police chief responsible for these actions. They need to lose their jobs and face criminal charges. Don’t denigrate the hundreds of Fort Worth cops (and the hundreds of thousands of cops nationwide) who DO NOT act in such a thuggish manner. They can be on Chad’s side–our side. The officers in the raid brought dishonor on the uniform and the department, and they need to go so that good cops don’t share that dishonor.
It doesn’t really matter whether the victim grabbed the officers groin or not — the response was inappropriate to the infraction (if one even existed.) The officer(s) directly involved need to be prosecuted and disciplined.
Recycling the old “Gay-panic defense” just isn’t going to fly in the 21st century — not with the GLBT Community, and I certainly hope, not in the court-system.
You know, this would be a good time for Obama to prove he is “with us.” Mr. President, why haven’t you sent the FBI to investigate a civil rights crime? Mr. President, why haven’t you sent a member of the DOJ to prosecute these officials for a hate crime? Mr. President, when are you joining our side?
RIGHT. THE POLICE INVESTGATING THE POLICE. WHAT A COVER UP THAT WILL BE. HOW ABOUT THE FEDERAL GOVERMENT COME IN AN SEE IF HIS CIVAL RIGHTS WHERE VIOLATED. IF THESE OFFIICERS ARE NOT FIRED, THEN IF I WAS MR. GIBSON I SUE THE CITY , MAYOR, & POLICE CHIEF. THE POLICE SWARE A OATH WHEN THEY PUT ON A BAGE TO UPHOLD THE LAW. THAT SURE DIDN’T HAPPEN. THIS REALLY STINKS. TEXAS HAS ALWAYS BEEN KNOWN FOR REDNECKS. BUT THEY HAVE GONE TO FAR.
“a Fort Worth resident who was allegedly hurt the worst during a police raid of the gay club the Rainbow Lounge”
Maybe I missed it, but who could have been hurt worse? I don’t think that this is a matter of “allegedly.”
Since President Obama is our “fierce advocate” I expect to see him respond to this hate crime and cover-up, by sending in the FBI under the direction of our other “fierce advocate” Mr. William Holder. If that does not happen it will speak volumes about the decline and fall of the Democratic party.
Hope you heal fast Chad. Why were the officers raiding the bar to begin with? What is the motive? I’ve noticed that police officers either let their personal views motivate their work or just think it’s something to do or impress the high ups.
Get Well soon Chad, then get yourself a good attorney & sue their bleeping asses!!
Does someone out in cyberspace have Gloria Allred’s phone number? Chad and the GLBT Community needs her help .
It’s said that the bar just recently opened. Why did the cops raid the bar?
I seriously doubt that this man,Chad,grabbed a cop’s groin.
WTF are they even talking about with that story? ‘Oh,we went into this gay bar and this patron walked up and grabbed my crouch,not remembering that there were many other cops with me,or that I had a gun.’
What a bunch of B.S.
I wish Chad the best with his health and with this case.
I came out in Corpus Christi, TX in 1975, lived there four years, and then another 20+ in Houston. Unfortunately, the TABC and local Texas police officers have been pulling this stuff for many years. The very same thing happened at Mary’s Lounge in Houston back in the 80s. They do it for harrassment and just beg someone to lip off or be intoxicated, or not, just look at them wrong. But I thought those days were gone. Maybe the barebacking kids of today need a little taste of what the older Gay generation has been through to wake themselves up! My heartfelt best wishes to Mr. Gipson for a speedy recovery and a just resolution. Nobody deserves this kind of treatment!