News 8
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Man injured in raid of gay bar speaks out 
10:31 AM CDT on Monday, July 6, 2009
FORT WORTH — More gathered in protest Sunday night after a questionable raid at a gay club in Fort Worth spurred a series of demonstrations.
Throughout the debate and investigation, the man allegedly hurt the worst in the raid remained silent. However, Sunday he finally spoke out.
On June 28, Chad Gibson was at the Rainbow Lounge when two TABC and seven Fort Worth police officers conducted a bar check at the newly opened gay nightclub in Fort Worth. Witnesses said the unprovoked officers manhandled Gibson and slammed him to the ground. Police said Gibson was intoxicated and grabbed an officer's groin.
Now, Gibson said he wants the officers involved in the raid prosecuted. He also called the response by the city of Fort Worth a cover-up.
Although the city has asked the U.S. Attorney General to review the investigation, Gibson said he has lost all confidence in law enforcement.
"You used excessive force and that's why I got hurt," he said.
After seven days in the hospital, he’s not out of the woods. There is still a blood clot in his brain, behind his right eye.
"I'm scared that something might happen," Gibson said. "It might start bleeding."
Gibson said the city and officers have pointed the blame in the wrong direction.
"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 said he is also frustrated at the city pointing the blame at the TABC.
"Even if the Fort Worth Police didn't touch me, they watched it," he said. "They watched other people do that to me."
On Sunday night in Sundance Square, the Queer Liberation Organization held a protest about the Rainbow Lounge Raid.
"Are you satisfied with the progress?” protestors yelled.
Chuck Potter, who was at the Rainbow Lounge during the raid, spoke though a bullhorn in defense of Gibson.
"When they released that young man from a neck hold and he stumbled, they took him to the ground," he said. "I saw it with my own two eyes and I was sober."
Gibson said he is grateful for all of the support as he fights to regain his health.
"It feels great," he said. "There are so many people out there that are doing that fight for me."
The TABC officers are on desk duty during the internal investigation. The city of Fort Worth is still asking eye witnesses to come forward for their internal investigation. Any findings will be independently reviewed by the U.S. Attorney General.
E-mail dmiles@wfaa.com
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