National Gay & Lesbian Task Force Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ivy Young or Robert Bray, (202)332-6483 Ron.DeVrou@f70.n109.z1.fidonet.org GAYS, LESBIANS PROTEST RODNEY KING VERDICT; NGLTF JOINS ANTI-RACISM DEMONSTRATION AT D.O.J. Washington, D.C., May 4, 1992...Hundreds of protesters, including a noticeably large contingent of gay men, lesbians and bisexuals, today demonstrated against the Rodney King verdict and pervasive racism in the U.S. at a lively picket and civil disobedience at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. Chanting, "This isn't justice, we're disgusted," protesters marched around the DOJ building then shut down historic Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues, among other streets, for nearly four hours. Demonstrators demanded that the DOJ issue federal indictments against the four LAPD officers who beat Rodney King, and called for an independent national commission named by President Bush and appointed by community leaders to investigate police violence and the King case. Some 275 protesters were involved in the picket and non-violent civil disobedience, with downtown office workers, pedestrians and more activists joining in throughout the morning. Only one participant was reported arrested, although not confirmed. Police declined to make arrests even though activists blocked traffic during the busy morning rush hour. The action was sponsored by the "People's Coalition for Justice," a Washington-based group of local and national civil rights organizations that quickly banded together following the King verdict and Los Angeles riots. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), a member of the coalition, helped organize and publicize the event, execute the civil disobedience and turned out scores of gay, lesbian and bisexual protesters. "The gay and lesbian community knows all too well the bitter reality of abuse by both the police and the courts," said Vaid, who condemned the verdict and called for an end to the violence in Los Angeles. The NGLTF Anti-Violence Project joined in coalition for the action with the Union Temple Baptist Church, National African-American Network, Community for Creative Non-Violence, Jobs With Peace, National Black Women's Health Project, Malcolm X Day Committee, and others. ### [Note: Full NGLTF statement follows.] MEDIA ADVISORY For immediate release Contact: Kevin Berrill May 1, 1992 or Robert Bray, 202/332-6483 Ron.DeVrou@f70.n109.z1.fidonet.org NGLTF CONDEMNS VERDICT IN RODNEY KING CASE; CALLS GAY AND LESBIAN COMMUNITY TO ACTION The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force is outraged by the acquittal of four Los Angeles police officers accused of assaulting Rodney King, an African-American motorist. To watch the videotape of King's beating is to witness extraordinary, inexcusable, and criminal brutality. In the face of overwhelming documented evidence of abuse, we are appalled that the criminal justice system set the defendants free. The only conceivable explanation for the "not guilty" verdict is that the jury viewed the videotape through the lens of racism. From its brutal beginning, this case, like so many other cases of police abuse, has been infused with racism. It reflects a pattern of hate crimes perpetrated by police against African-Americans and other minorities, including lesbians and gay men. The gay and lesbian community knows all too well the bitter reality of abuse by both the police and the courts. In eleven studies of anti-gay violence, a median proportion of 20% of lesbians and gay men report having been victimized by the police because of their sexual orientation. Examples of such abuse in recent years include the vicious beating of a Los Angeles gay motorist, and a brutal police raid on a Manhattan bar patronized by African-American and Latino gay men. In the courts, the gay and lesbian community has faced shocking acquittals of gay bashers, and gay victims have been called "homos," "queers," and other slurs by judges. The verdict in the Rodney King further undermines public faith in the criminal justice system and increases the likelihood of violence by police and by citizens angered by injustice. The violence we see in Los Angeles and around the nation is the tragic legacy of centuries of officially sanctioned racism. It is also profoundly destructive, especially to the communities that are hit hardest by racism and poverty. We appeal for an end to the violence, which has resulted in so much death, injury, and destruction. NGLTF stands in solidarity with the African-American community at what is one of most shameful and depressing moments in race relations since the murder of Martin Luther King, Jr. In that spirit, we call on lesbian and gay individuals and organizations to (1) issue statements condemning the verdict; (2) join as allies in peaceful actions to protest the verdict; (3) join in coalition with organizations working to counter police abuse; (4) write U.S. Attorney General William Barr urging federal prosecution of the defendants and a federal investigation of racism and anti-gay bigotry within law enforcement agencies; and (5) commit themselves to fighting racism within the gay/lesbian community and the larger society. 1734 Fourteenth Street, NW-Washington, DC 20009-4309-(202) 332-6483 # # #