http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4200443.html
Interesting column. I wonder if the Minneapolis Police are better at dealing with Gay citizens than St Paul's department, and the St Paul Police Department has less of a record of brutality with working with racial minorities. Recently a St Paul Officer (who also happens to be Chief Finney's son) has been accused of beating up patrons of Lucy's bar - a Lesbian bar in St Paul. What is rather wierd about the whole story is that when police came to the scene, when they saw Officer Loretz there, they just left - assuming that he was taking care of the situation as a police officer. According to witnesses, Loretz threatened the bar staff with getting the bar closed down and identified himself as a police officer.
Lavender Magazine coverage: http://www.lavendermagazine.com/220/220_go_51.html
From the article:
Roslyn Paxton and her niece, Quira Jackson were enjoying the music when Loretz's companion accosted them. She allegedly made unwanted sexual gestures and advances to the 21-year-old, five-foot, 90-pound Jackson, including sticking her hand down her own pants and then shoving her hand in Jackson's face.
Paxton tried to intervene, when Loretz, according to several eyewitness accounts, went on a rampage. Loretz, standing six-foot-five, reportedly struck Paxton in the head, and then hit Jackson three times before choking her until she blacked out.
EY: That type of thing is beyond "provacative" - it's just gross - and it's understandable that if this happened the bar patrons would try to physically defend themselves.
Mayor Randy Kelly's response published in Lavender: http://www.lavendermagazine.com/220/220_letters_13_2.html
Gay and Lesbian police officers can be openly gay in Minneapolis. According to CM Robert Lilligren, LGBT police officers in St Paul have told him that it's not ok to be openly gay on the St Paul police force.
Would this type of incident happen in a Minneapolis Gay Bar? Would the Minneapolis Police handle it in the same way?
Also, I'm curious where CUAB is on this incident in St Paul?
Eva Young Near North Minneapolis [EMAIL PROTECTED] Blog is up: http://lloydletta.blogspot.com
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