Today sees what's becoming called the Atlanta Eagle Eight go on trial for violations of city ordinance regulations. The eight is comprised of four staff and four dancers who where arrested at the Atlanta Eagle gay bar in Atlanta back on 1oth September.
It's alleged the four employees are charged with business licence charges and the four dancers are charged with providing adult entertainment, without a licence. Alan Begner, the attorney representing the defendants, said "Dancing in your underwear does not violate any code section of Atlanta,” And the other four defendants -- the owner, manager, bartender and doorman -- are charged with allowing adult entertainment to happen.” Each violation carries a maximum punishment of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
There has been much controversy surrounding the police raid some six months ago, more than 20 police officers took part, searching and detaining around 60 customers. They made some lie handcuffed and face down on the club's floor. Some of those detained say they were not allowed to move for more than an hour and that they also had to endure anti-gay slurs, and insults from the officers.#
The raid was orchestrated because of alleged reports of drug activity and because undercover officers reported seeing men having sex at the club while customers looked on. However, most note worthy, no drugs were found during the raid, and no one was charged with having illicit sex.
There have been many complaints about the way the police conducted themselves during the raid, and accusations of stonewalling a subsequent investigation into the events of that night. Indeed 18 of the officers involved in the raid have been subpoenaed to appear before a city council committee hearing as part of an investigation in the raid.
At the time of writing the judge, judge Crystal Gaines had delayed the start of the trial, with no reason given.
Jason Shaw.
GayAgenda.com's UK Correspondent.
Jason blogs his heart out on www.seafrontdiary.com tales of life in the England's gayest sea side town!
© 2010 Copyright Jason Shaw
No comments:
Post a Comment