Lawsuit accuses Tomball of racism

[Judi Lynn]

Aug. 17, 2005, 2:47AM

Lawsuit accuses Tomball of racism
City is faulted for renting out community hall for Klan event
By DALE LEZON
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

His head wrapped in a bandana imprinted with the U.S. flag, Corey Irving vowed Tuesday to fight the city of Tomball in federal court to stop racism in public buildings.

"It made me feel very angry and depressed that city officials would discriminate against me in a public building," Irving said at a news conference in this far north Harris County community to announce that he and two others had filed the civil rights lawsuit. It was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Houston by the Texas Civil Rights Project on behalf of Irving, Rona Smith and Christina O'Toole. The lawsuit claims the plaintiffs' civil rights were violated when the city rented a public community center to the White Camelia Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.
(snip)

The lawsuit, which names Griffin, Police Chief Michael Blake and Mayor H.G. Harrington, claims blacks and others were prevented from entering the building during the event.

"The city should not rent out buildings to any organization that promotes hate or racism," O'Toole said.

City officials said any group has a right to rent out public buildings.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3313849
(Free registration required)

[madeline_con]

1. First of all, why would any black person want to ....

get into a Klan event? Wouldn't it be dangerous for them? Wouldn't it be just to stir s#it up?

If you were "the law" in them there parts, would you try to avoid having your town host a confrontation of that sort?

Finally, has the same crew denied the use of the venue to a group of blacks who want to hold a meeting there?

[Judi Lynn]

2. It would seem sensible any use of public property owned by all taxpayers

would have to be non-discriminatory, and certainly not catering to hate-groups.

From the article:

A least one legal expert said municipalities can enforce nondiscrimination policies when they lease public buildings to private groups. Cities can create lease agreements that require renters to abide by the same nondiscrimination guarantees that cities follow, said David Dow, a professor at the University of Houston Law Center and an expert in civil rights.

"I think it's a legally viable argument," Dow said.
(snip/...)

[Toots]

6. As to your last question yes

Although they are not in any way similar. You seem to equate a group of blacks as the same as the KKK. By granting the KKK use of the building they automatically denied blacks the use of that same building at that time. How is a group of blacks equivalent to a hate group?

[madeline_con]

8. You seem to equate a group of blacks.....

.....as the same as the KKK.

NO NO and NO about 50 more times. You misunderstood.

Let me rephrase.

1. Why would a black person want to crash a Klan meeting? Wouldn't it be dangerous?

2. Can black groups not rent the same facilities if they wish to? Would they feel they should be forced to welcome Klan members?

[theboss]

3. How many times can people bring this same suit?

The ACLU defends the Klan every time someone tries to shut down their events. And the ACLU wins every single time.

You can't discriminate against any group based on message. Period.

[madeline_con]

9. Thank you...

We all get the right to free speech, even if everyone doesn't agree with it.

If one group is banned, it opens the door for more to follow.

Who's the watchdog group?
Whose standards do we go by, etc?

Thank you for your sane input. :)

[AlCzervik]

4. Wow, i used to live in Spring which is a little south of Tomball

and there is klan there, I hated going through Tomball and the Wal-mart there cured me of ever going to Wal-mart again.

[B3Nut]

5. Tomball TX!

That's where that audio clip of that 911 call of that yokel who got bit by a deer(!) came from...as it said in the clip, from the "m... f...in fone boof" at the "Stop 'n Go" where he called for a "bambilance"!

Anyone ever hear that clip? It's freaking hysterical! :rofl:

That a town hall there would be rented to the Kook Klutz Klan comes as no shock whatsoever...

Todd in Beerbratistan :beer:

[pop goes the weasel]

7. Good for him!

I think he has a very good case. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlaws racial segregation in public venues. If the Klan had rented the building and only allowed KKK members in, it would have retained its "private" nature. But they invited in (white) members of the general public, thus coming afoul of the 1964 statute by making their event public.