RIFT OVER TULIA DRUG BUST DEEPENS WITH DUAL RALLIES TULIA - Divisions in Tulia were evident Monday as supporters and opponents of last year's controversial drug bust, which affected primarily blacks, staged separate rallies only blocks from each other. More than 200 people packed into the Swisher Memorial Building to show their support for the drug operation that resulted in the arrests of 43 people, 40 of whom are black. Organizers at the memorial building had to hold two meetings because not everyone could fit into the meeting room. Hours earlier, members of a group calling itself the Friends of Justice gathered at the Swisher Electric Cooperative Inc. building, donning black and gold T-shirts that read: ''Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly.'' At least 100 people attended that rally to sing songs and eat dinner. The rallies come in the wake of a lawsuit filed by the Texas affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union. The suit seeks $6 million from law enforcement officials connected to the drug case. The lawsuit, filed in Amarillo, alleges that local officials and undercover agent Tom Coleman conspired to violate the civil rights of blacks in Tulia. Cynthia Finck and her husband, Trent, said they believe their community of about 5,000 people has been unfairly portrayed by the media. ''They've got us painted like we're terrible people living here,'' Trent Finck said. Cynthia Finck said a few naysayers are merely trying to stir up trouble. ''People try to paint Tulia as a racist community, but we wouldn't be here if this wasn't a good community,'' she said. Tulia resident Chandra Vancleave, who was implicated in drug trafficking by Coleman, said her arrest was a sham. Vancleave, who is white, entered into a plea agreement, and her charges were dropped from a felony to a misdemeanor. She was accused of selling cocaine to Coleman. The drug convictions have rested largely the word of Coleman, who's been criticized as dishonest and untruthful by some but praised as a lawman by others. Vancleave said she never sold drugs to Coleman and that she'd never seen him until the day she was freed from jail. ''The first time I had ever, ever saw Tom Coleman, I didn't even know it was him,'' she said. ''I was getting booked out of jail, and he was walking right in front of my face. If I'd have known it was him, I'd have slapped him.'' Five Texas Rangers and several local law enforcement officials monitored both meetings to ensure they were peaceful, which they were. Supporters of the drug bust hope to organize several committees that will promote their community and show continued support for the undercover operation. The undercover drug operation led to the imprisonment of 16 percent of Tulia's black population. Protesters say it's clear that the sting was racially motivated. Linda Kane can be contacted at 766-8754 or lkane@lubbockonline.com Photo caption: Rev. Charles Kiker speaks to residents during the rally against the drug bust in Tulia. A-J Photo/Chris Getteau
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