ATLANTA -- Atlanta’s gay community is outraged over a raid at a popular gay bar.

Owners of the Atlanta Eagle and its customers are demanding an investigation into police actions last Thursday.

Police arrested four employees and accused them of operating an adult entertainment club without a license. Four dancers were charged with dancing in their underwear without permits. The suspects said they’re being targeted because they’re gay.

The defendants were supposed to have been arraigned Monday at municipal court but prosecutors and defense agreed to postpone the arraignment so both sides could have more time to review the case.

The bar owners and customers say police violated their civil rights.

"I believe (the bar) was raided because it was a gay bar," said co-owner Robert Kelley.

Kelley, along with the seven other men arrested are demanding an apology from police. Kelley said police never told him why about 30 officers swooped in.

"The only thing they'd tell us is we need to sit down and shut the (expletive) up, and if we asked any questions, they'd bash us with a bar stool," Kelley said.

Garret McClendon, a customer who was there during the raid but was not arrested, said police forced more than 60 customers to lay face down on the ground while officers searched them.

McClendon said he was forced down next to a pile of broken glass. "I asked one of the officers if I could move because of this. He told me to be quiet or I'll be arrested."

The raid sparked angry protests over the weekend.

Kelley insisted Monday that he and his business partner operate a bar, not an adult entertainment club. Kelley said his employees and customer did nothing illegal.

CBS Atlanta tried to ask Atlanta police Monday about what happened last week, but police did not return our calls.

An attorney for the eight men arrested said police repeatedly hurled gay slurs at customers and employees.

The eight people arrested filed a complaint with police. Their next day in court is Sept. 29.