World
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
The American Civil Liberties Union is planning to sue the city of Miami Beach, Fla., claiming the city allowed two cops to harass a former resident.
Harold Strickland says he was harassed and wrongfully arrested after he called 911 to report two police officers beating another gay man near a popular local park, Flamingo Park, in March 2009, according to a statement from the ACLU.
According to the statement, the man who was beaten, identified only as John Doe, was chased by Miami Beach police officers into a parking lot and beaten. As the officers chased him, he yelled, "Who are you?" and "Why are you chasing me?"
Strickland witnessed the chase and assault, and he called 911, telling a dispatcher that the man had been handcuffed and was being kicked "like his head was a football." Strickland attracted the attention of the two officers beating Doe, and they demanded to know what he was doing. They took his cell phone and ended the 911 call. When he said he was reporting the brutal attack, one officer told him, "We know what you're doing here. We're sick of all the fucking fags in the neighborhood."
The ACLU statement says the officers then pushed Strickland to the ground and tied his hands behind his back. They continued to threaten him and sling antigay slurs at him until they took him to the police station. He was charged with loitering and prowling, charges the state's attorney later declined to prosecute.
Robert Rosenwald of the ACLU of Florida says gay men have been targets of the Miami Beach police force in the area of Flamingo Park for decades.
"Often, police target gay men walking near Flamingo Park for nothing more than looking 'too gay,'" Rosenwald says. adding that "Strickland fulfilled his civic duty by reporting what he recognized as police misconduct, but as a result he became the subject of verbal abuse and wrongful arrest."
Strickland, 45, now lives in Los Angeles.
In a notice to the city, required before filing a lawsuit, the ACLU demanded that the Miami Beach Police Department institute immediate remedial action to halt the harassment, intimidation, and arrest of gay men near Flamingo Park and individuals who observe, document, or report police misconduct.
The message also noted that Miami Beach police have a history of arresting people who witness police misconduct, particularly African-Americans.
The Miami Beach Police Department released a statement Thursday regarding the alleged incident:
"The City of Miami Beach became aware yesterday (Wednesday, February 3, 2010) of an incident that was reported to have occurred almost one year ago. As a result of these allegations, the Police Chief immediately ordered an internal affairs investigation, and a review of the reported events has begun.
"After a preliminary review of the information gathered, a decision was made to reassign both officers involved in the reported incident to administrative duties effective immediately and pending the conclusion of the investigation.
"We cannot comment further on this open, ongoing investigation, or on any potential litigation."
Listen to Strickland's 911 call below:
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
18 of the most batsh*t things N.C. Republican governor candidate Mark Robinson has said
October 30 2024 11:06 AM
True
After 20 years, and after tonight, Obama will no longer be the Democrats' top star
August 20 2024 12:28 PM
Trump ally Laura Loomer goes after Lindsey Graham: ‘We all know you’re gay’
September 13 2024 2:28 PM
60 wild photos from Folsom Street East that prove New York City knows how to play
June 21 2024 12:25 PM
Melania Trump cashed six-figure check to speak to gay Republicans at Mar-a-Lago
August 16 2024 5:57 PM
Latest Stories
California's first state-wide LGBTQ+ senior survey shows mixed experiences
November 29 2024 1:27 PM
How Prim 'N Poppin' is providing beauty and activism in a conservative America
November 29 2024 12:30 PM
14 transgender elected officials you should know
November 29 2024 11:11 AM
Himbo Timmy Hilton says he's ready to find his love daddy on 'For the Love of DILFs'
November 29 2024 10:35 AM
25 problematic gay characters we can't help but love
November 29 2024 10:10 AM
Discover the LGBTQ+ paradise of San Juan, Puerto Rico
November 29 2024 9:30 AM
President Biden to host AIDS Memorial Quilt on White House South Lawn for World AIDS Day (exclusive)
November 29 2024 9:30 AM
Evan Rachel Wood prevails in Marilyn Manson defamation case
November 28 2024 5:51 PM
11 queer moments in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade history
November 28 2024 12:16 PM
Jonathan Bailey shot 'Wicked,' 'Fellow Travelers' & 'Bridgerton' at same time
November 28 2024 12:10 PM
​The confessions of a retired gas-lighter
November 28 2024 11:00 AM
Thanksgiving dessert: 25 mouthwatering artworks from Tom of Finland Fest
November 28 2024 9:00 AM
Being grateful for the L, the G, the B, the T, the Q, and the + this year
November 28 2024 8:00 AM
Instead of reporting on actual news, the New York Times goes after trans people again
November 27 2024 4:42 PM
Federal government eases rules on organ transplants between donors and recipients with HIV
November 27 2024 4:12 PM
The controversy over a trans woman volleyball player at San Jose State, explained
November 27 2024 4:05 PM
How bathroom bans on federal property would impact trans Americans
November 27 2024 1:32 PM
Ohio Gov. DeWine signs anti-trans school bathroom law
November 27 2024 1:01 PM
Zooey Zephyr calls on trans people to 'plant the flag of joy' against Donald Trump (exclusive)
November 27 2024 11:49 AM