Fort Worth police raid turns brutal

I think all of us should be outraged by this, regardless of our orientation.

Following, please find the press release on the candlelight vigil. Below that, you will find a list of other events planned to support this young man, or to protest this police violence.

The North Texas LGBTA Community will gather Wed. July 1st, 2009 at the Rainbow Lounge at 8:30pm in honor of Chad Gibson, the young man hospitalized by FWPD in the June 28th police raid at the same location. Pastor Carol West of Celebration Community Church will be on hand as well as many of the people who were there during the raid. We must unite to show the world that what happens to one of us, happens to all of us. We must unite to show Fort Worth that this type of violence against any person will not be tolerated. But, most importantly we must unite to show Chad that his community is standing by his side.

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PRESS RELEASE

Candlelight Vigil for Victim of Anti-Gay Police Violence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date 06-30-09

Media Contact
Blake Wilkinson 214-679-6321
e-mail: lgbtliberaction@gmail.com
www.queerliberaction.org

Dallas-- 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" says Blake Wilkinson, founder of Dallas based Queer Liberaction.

Other events that have been posted:

9 p.m. Friday, July 3?? (no date was shown in what I've seen, so am assuming it's this friday. Will post more when I can confirm this) Benefit Show for Chad Gibson, Rainbow Lounge
4 p.m. Sunday, July 5, Milk Box forum will be held in Sundance Square in Fort Worth. This is a soap box where anyone can speak, named in honor of Harvey Milk.
7 p.m. Sunday, July 12th, at Tarrant County Courthouse, where an answer is expected from the pending investigation on the raid (NOTE: I have seen this as being the Courthouse, and another one that said the Tarrant County Convention Center. When I have clarification, I will post again.)
7 p.m. Tuesday, July 14: Fort Worth City Council Meeting, Fort Worth Municipal Building, 1000 Throckmorton St.. Fort Worth