Rallies Organized Opposing Midtown Gay Bar Raid

ATLANTA (AP) -- Rallies opposing a raid at a Midtown Atlanta gay bar have been organized after the owners say police unfairly targeted the business and mistreated customers.

One rally was set for Friday night and another is to take place Saturday evening.

Several customers at Atlanta Eagle on Ponce De Leon Avenue say they were harassed without prompting and were forced to the ground and frisked during the raid Thursday night.

Eight employees of the bar were arrested around 11:30 p.m. and charged with providing adult entertainment without a city permit.

Eagle co-owner Robert Kelley was among those arrested Thursday, and six of the eight remained behind bars until late Friday afternoon.

A judge set bail for them after two Atlanta City Council candidates, Miguel Gallegos and Shelitha Robertson, intervened.