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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 20, 1995)
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GET "HITCHED" IN PALM SPRINGS (503) 786-4959 653-9720 x284 Pager 833-8314 national news M B A M EMBER "atwapsfxxr-i smart »11 f»rM A rate* »abject to cheap RSE& rettrktl aas apply TRAVEL SERVICE One SW Columbia, Suite 1010 Portland, OR 97258 (503) 227-3639 FAX (503)227-0602 1-800-248-0624 San Francisco rings in the New Year with a police raid on a private AIDS benefit ▼ by Inga Sorensen tell you that this seems to be a totally unjustified n early-morning police raid on an in raid, and many of these people sincerely believe vitation-only AIDS benefit in San they were brutalized.” Francisco has the city’s sexual mi Witnesses have reported that several officers norities and civil rights communities shoved a female photographer against a wall and in an uproar. Witnesses who were at the event describe the raid as “brutal,” pinned “outra her to prevent her from documenting the events; another man was reportedly poked in the geous,” and “totally unwarranted,” and attorneys eyes and thrown to the ground by officers when he for some of those in attendance say they plan to file asked them why the party was being closed down. a class-action lawsuit against the San Francisco Police also allegedly ignored repeated requests for Police Department for violating participants’ First a search warrant and proceeded to scan through Amendment rights to assemble and freely associ documents on a personal computer. Sources say at ate with whomever they please. least 13 people were taken to the police station and “We’ve received calls from across the country held without charges for approximately four hours. because people can’t believe this is happening in “It’s amazing the police would pick an AIDS San Francisco— in 1995, no less,” says Kate Dyer, benefit to run a raid,” says Dyer. “Not only was this an attorney with the San Francisco firm Steel, outrageous, it was stupid.” Clarence & Buckley, which has taken on the case Gerald Koskovich, a longtime San Francisco pro bono. “This was a peaceful party and an AIDS legal observer adds: “The list of laws that the benefit. No alcohol was being served. Everything police broke in their violent crackdown is astound was fine until the police came in wielding their ing—including the illegal use of force, such as batons. Some people didn’t even know they were punchings in the face, baton thrusts, and carotid police because their badges were hidden. It was a holds; the covering of badges and refusal to show very terrifying situation for many people.” badges; unlawful search and seizure; false arrest; The incident began shortly after 4 am on New and unlawful detention.” Year’s Day. Witnesses say 40 police officers in Sgt. Barbara Davis, a police spokeswoman, vaded the private affair at a warehouse that serves as a home and workspace in an area of San Fran refused to comment on the incident, but did send cisco known as South of Market. The event, which Just Out a copy of an “unofficial police statement” was attended by about 500 which claims “persons re artists, activists and others, “The police started shouting , sponsible had previously was also a fund-raiser for been advised that any party ‘Get out. Get out now. ’ Visual Aid, a nonprofit or at the premises would be ganization dedicated to illegal.” When police ar They wouldn ’t let people serving artists with AIDS. rived at the fund-raiser, the get their coats. “A few days before, the report says, police found organizers went to the po The next thing we know , 40 “dancing and entertainment lice and told them about the in progress.... Officers at officers with batons are fund-raiser and that no al tempted to clear the build cohol was going to be crashing through the doors. ” ing and identify those re served. The police said sponsible. Two persons fine,” says Raymond Liberti, a 27-year-old book were charged with running and illegal resisting/ clerk who was at the gathering. “On the night of the interfering. Video and sound equipment were seized raid, some officers checked in at about 2 am to see as evidence, along with $700 in cash.” how things were going. We told them everything The statement, which does not allude to any was in order and they left. Two hours later they claims of police brutality, says: “Allegations have showed up again and immediately ordered that the been made regarding officer misconduct during party come to an end. this incident. These allegations are being investi “We figured since it was so late it was probably gated by the Management Control Unit of the a good idea to shut down anyway, and we started Police Department and the Office of Citizen Com to tell people that the party was closing down,” plaints. If these allegations are sustained, appropri Liberti continues. “It was a rainy and cold night, ate disciplinary measures will occur.” and nearly everyone had checked their coats and A short statement was also issued by Mayor umbrellas. As people were going to get their coats Frank Jordan, who says, “I am aware of the allega the police started shouting, ‘Get out. Get out now.’ tions lodged against the San Francisco Police De They wouldn’t let people get their coats. The next partment in a pre-dawn raid in the South of Market thing we know, 40 officers with batons are crash on New Year’s Day. Chief [Anthony] Ribera has ing through the doors.” ordered Police Management Control to conduct an Liberti says when partygoers asked for offic investigation into these charges. He has assured ers’ badge numbers, they were knocked to the me that if these allegations are found to be true, the ground and shoved up against walls. “It was terri department will take disciplinary action. A sepa fying,” he says, adding he hasn’t seen a violent rate investigation has been requested and is ongo police sweep in the Castro district since 1989, ing by the Office of Citizen Complaints. I must when the largely gay and lesbian neighborhood reiterate that at this time we do not know all the was raided following an AIDS demonstration. facts. We are only at the investigation stage. I hope Dennis Conklin, a writer for the gay and lesbian the public and the press will withhold judgment newsweekly Bay Area Reporter, agrees: “This is until such time as all the facts are brought to light.” the most serious incident involving the police and According to Conklin, the San Francisco Board gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people of Supervisors, which has a handful of openly since the October 1989 police sweep of the Castro. lesbian and gay members, will also hold public As a police beat reporter in San Francisco, I can tell hearings on the incident. you that I’ve seen good cops and I’ve seen bad “This is a touchy situation, and I think it could cops—and I’ve seen gay activists with agendas. take months for this whole thing to really shake After talking with many people at the party, I can out,” he says. A