NAACP monitoring businesses for injustice during bikefest
MYRTLE BEACH—The NAACP will again keep a close watch on the City of Myrtle Beach and local businesses this holiday weekend as annual Black Bike Week festivities commence.
For the sixth consecutive year, the NAACP will conduct Operation Bike Week Justice to monitor activities in the resort town during the annual Memorial Day weekend gathering of African American motorcycle enthusiasts. Throughout the weekend, NAACP teams will monitor police activity and treatment of black tourists, observe the practices of local businesses and watch traffic patterns.
“The NAACP is committed to fair and equal treatment of all people,” said NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. “We support everyone’s right to recreational opportunities and discrimination should not be tolerated for anyone.”
Last year, the city enacted ordinances designed to eliminate the Harley Week and Black Bike Week. The ordinances prohibit parking lot gatherings, landscape gatherings, loud mufflers and many special events. Additionally, the City has implemented new helmet and curfew laws. The Association will be monitoring law enforcement to ensure the new ordinances are equally and fairly applied during Harley Week and Black Bike Week.
“The NAACP supports reasonable regulations,” said Myrtle Beach Branch NAACP President Mickey James. “However, the Association will oppose any discriminatory enforcement of the new ordinances.”
“Any form of racial discrimination against Black Bike Week visitors will not be tolerated,” said NAACP Vice President of Stakeholder Relations Nelson B. Rivers, III, and a native South Carolinian. “Closing businesses or refusing to provide equal services to Black Bike Week visitors that are provided to visitors at other times of the year, not only makes no economic sense, but is against the law.”
In recent years, the NAACP and African Americans have filed and successfully settled federal discrimination lawsuits against the city of Myrtle Beach and area businesses for unequal treatment of Black Bike Week visitors compared to those who attend Harley Week, a predominately white event traditionally held one week earlier. Negotiated settlements have been reached with the City of Myrtle Beach, Damon’s Oceanfront and Barefoot Landing, Greg Norman’s Australian Grill and six other businesses.
As a result of the NAACP’s hard work, several restaurants that were closed in prior years have opened their doors and welcomed black bikers. And now, the Myrtle Beach Police Department uses the same traffic pattern on Ocean Boulevard from 29th Avenue North to 17th Avenue South, during the times of 2:00 p.m. to midnight on Harley and Black Bike weekends. The NAACP welcomes the news that this year the City will allow two way traffic on Ocean Boulevard during Black Bike Week as it did during Harley Week. Under a settlement agreement, the Myrtle Beach Police Department must also train all officers deployed during Black Bike Week on policing crowds and cultural sensitivity.
Some progress has been made over the last three years. However, in meetings with and correspondence to the City officials, the NAACP has expressed several concerns. The NAACP remains troubled by the 2 to 1 arrest disparity that continues to exist between Black Bike Week and Harley Week. Moreover, far too often, the Myrtle Beach Police Department routinely finds the officers conducted themselves properly in instances where officers are accused of discriminatory conduct. Last year, the City’s unevenly implemented checkpoints during the two bike events and issued radio advertisements timed primarily to discourage people from attending Black Bike Week.
Furthermore, several establishments remain closed and continue to engage in discriminatory practices despite being aware of lawsuits and Operation Black Bike Week Justice. The NAACP currently has some public accommodations discrimination complaints pending before the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission and federal court.
“All Myrtle Beach tourists must be treated equally,” said NAACP Interim General Counsel Laura D. Blackburne. “When necessary, the NAACP will continue to utilize litigation to end such discriminatory practices.”
Again this year, a complaint hotline will be activated for individuals to report closed restaurants, police misconduct or other unfair treatment. Black Bike Week attendees can report incidents by calling (888) 362-8683 or come by visiting Sandy Grove Baptist Church located at 1008 Carver Street [in Myrtle Beach] to file a complaint in person. Last year, the NAACP received complaints regarding closed businesses, police misconduct, frivolous charges and arrests for minor offenses such as non-parking use of a parking lot.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by ecu1984
Bookmarks