By BJ Austin, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-850569.mp3
Dallas, TX –
The Fort Worth City Council has unanimously called upon the U.S. Attorney to do an INDEPENDENT investigation of the raid on the Rainbow Lounge last month. KERA's BJ Austin says the city has also formed a new diversity task force.
The raid by Fort Worth Police and Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission agents was to make public intoxication arrests. 21 people were handcuffed, six ultimately charged, and one patron was hospitalized with a head injury after the encounter with police. Officers say they were taunted and groped by patrons of the gay bar. Witnesses deny it.
David Mack Henderson told city council members that four KEY witnesses, the ones in closest proximity to Chad Gibson, the man injured, are afraid to come forward.
Henderson: They're scared to death that sharing what they saw with anyone from the two agencies in question in akin to setting themselves up for retribution.
In addition to the vote for an independent investigation from the U.S. Attorney, the newly created diversity task force will meet for the first time this week. City officials and community leaders will craft appropriate training for city employees and facilitate better communication with the gay community.