Details emerge over Atlanta Eagle raid: Complaint of drugs, sexual activity led to fruitless 2-hour search of 62 patrons
”What happened to the customers was an assault. They were not free to go. There was no suspicion any of them had committed a crime. This is unbelievable.”
Alan Begner of the Atlanta, GA Eagle bar which was raided Monday night by police who forced 62 patrons to lie face down on the bar room floor for up to two hours. Allegedly, their identifications were taken and background checks were run on everyone. No patrons were arrested, though 8 employees were arrested on permit violations — which is a far cry from the anonymous complaint of drug dealing that triggered an undercover investigation where police claim they witnessed public sexual. Chief of Police, Richard Pennington, apologized that the their liaison to gay and lesbian community, Danni Lynn Harris, was not invited to join the police in their activity to observe and curtail anti-gay slurs, which 10 patrons have already lodged complaints about. (Atlanta Journal Constitution)
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
