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Black Brother Refused Service

By VVAW

On July 4th, in the city of Austin, there was a typical example of Texas racism. It all happened around 5:45 in the afternoon, when five members of the VVAW attempted to enter the Squirrels Inn after a rally. One of the five, Rodney Corbitt, was a black the others all being white.

As the five entered the Inn, they received the statement: "I will not serve your friend." Tinti, a white, thought the man was referring to him because he did not have his shirt on, and asked if this was so. He replied, "No, your friend," pointing to Corbitt.

At this time, the whole group left. They returned around an hour later, with about 10 more GIs from Fort Hood. Once again, the group was all white, excluding Corbitt. As the GIs approached the Inn, the man in charge locked the door, refusing entry to all the GIs. Immediately after this incident, the group was able to flag down an Austin police officer. He told them that he had to take his prisoner to the station, but that he would send another car. Within seconds, another car arrived, occupied by Officer Luna. As he excited from his car, he pulled his billy-club from his side, as though he was going to hit someone. He turned to the group of GIs and said "Alright, what's going on here?" During this time, two other patrol cars pulled into the parking lot. These two officers also approached the group with clubs in hand. After the incident was explained to the police, the group was met with the usual remarks ("...This place is this man's business. He can refuse service to anyone for any reason…. and "Every time people like you come to our town you cause trouble.").

It has always been our impression that no business could refuse service because of race. This is in the Civil Rights Act upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States in the Johnson era. Or doesn't the city of Austin recognize the Supreme Court?<

During the entire happening, the bartender from the Squirrels Inn was never contacted by the police. It seemed as though the police were trying to make the GIs feel as though the whole thing was their fault.

The entire affair was filmed by Sp/4 Richards, one of the group. During the process he was approached by Luna, who threatened to sue him for Invasion of Privacy if he was pictured in any of the film.

Reflecting upon the incident, Richards spoke for the group: "Why are GIs and Vietnam vets treated this way? Not only in Austin but in every town in the United States that's near a military installation. President Nixon tells the GIs that they are fighting for Freedom. But when the GI gets back to the states things are just as bad, if not worse than when they left. Is Freedom being able to tell a person he will not be served because of his color? To me it sounds more like discrimination, but there are two police officers in Austin, Luna and Wood who would tell you that that's really freedom.

Officer Luna, if the police are here to protect and serve the people, why are you afraid to have your picture in the People's paper?