I would just like to know from the police: `Why did they do that?’ To me, it is a blatant sign of intimidation and harassment, I mean, 42 years after the Stonewall riots and we still have to live in fear of the police disturbing our quiet enjoyment of life? I just don’t understand. Six violations were issued regarding issues like “unlicensed security” (from the NYPD) “unnecessary noise” (from the Department of Environmental Protection), “no public assembly permit” (from the Buildings Department) and, from the liquor authority, two for “extension of premise” and “failure to conform to application.”Īlso from The New York Times, patron Christopher J.
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“I am going to ask the police commissioner to conduct a formal investigation concerning the circumstances around this raid… true that there are these multiagency inspections, I think this one was ill-conceived and ill-timed given the circumstances surrounding the marriage equality celebration, on Pride week.” Browne goes on to say that “the notion that anyone was searched or the lights were turned off is utter fabrication.” Patrons say they were told to empty their pockets and had lights flashed in their faces, which Browne also denies. Browne, in addition to disputing many patrons’ versions of events, has pointed out that, lacking a “crystal ball,” they were unable to predict the ruling in Albany would coincide with the inspection.īut still! IT’S GAY PRIDE WEEKEND FOR CHRISSAKE! The owner of the bar, Robert Berk, recognizes the police were “just doing their job” but would’ve liked them to maybe do their job during the day, or a different week, and described the police as “aggressive, but nice.”īerk said the inspection lasted two hours, the police say it took 45 minutes. Police officials told the press that the inspection was part of a routine operation carried out at “a couple thousand clubs” every year in every precinct except Central Park by MARCH, a “multiagency response to community hot spots.” “Community hot spots” are defined as “subjects of chronic complaints from community members that are mostly reported through the city’s 311 and 911 communications systems over concerns like excessive noise or fighting.”Īccording to patrons, about 100 people were in the bar when representatives from the NYPD, the State Liquor Authority and three other city agencies arrived.Ĭhief Police Department spokesman Paul J.
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On 28th street and 11th avenue in Manhattan, gay patrons of leather bar, The Eagle, were treated to a trip into the past only minutes after Cuomo signed the same-sex marriage bill into law when an unannounced inspection, allegedly planned weeks in advance, broke the jubilant mood with police officers and flashlights in everyone’s faces. It wasn’t all glitter and trombones, however.
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Photo by Shanna Ravindra for New York MagazineĪ same-sex marriage bill passed the state senate in New York Friday night and everyone everywhere with a heart in their body said they could hear it sing.