NAACP Official: Myrtle Beach Put Up 'Fence' Between Black, Whites

ABC-33 Birmingham ^

[zaxxon]

NAACP Official: Myrtle Beach Put Up 'Fence' Between Black, Whites

Friday May 20, 2005 8:27am

Myrtle Beach, S.C. (AP) - An NAACP (website - news) leader says Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is essentially putting up a fence between blacks and whites by treating them differently during two upcoming biker rallies.

The Reverend Nelson Rivers the Third is chief operating officer of the national civil rights organization and a South Carolina native. He says plans by Myrtle Beach for different traffic-control plans for black and white biker weeks reminds him of a fence that segregated white beachgoers from black swimmers.

Rivers says the civil rights group will monitor a predominantly white rally this week in Myrtle Beach, as well as next week's predominantly black Atlantic Beach Bikefest.

The city will require one-way traffic on Ocean Boulevard during the bikefest. The NAACP has sued in federal court over the issue, alleging black bikers are treated differently from whites because of their race.

City officials say they're different events and call for different traffic patterns.

The federal appeals court in Richmond sided with the city.

The lawsuit goes to trial in the fall.

[Phantom Lord]

Why is there even a black bike week in SC? Don't these bikers know they are nothing but Uncle Tom's and Condi Rice's for not participating in the NAALCP boycott of SC?

[stainlessbanner]

Good point. This prob has to do with traffic patterns and load. In Daytona, Bike Week has Main St sectioned off and the bikers ride all around and traffic generally moves. During BCR, the kids drive up and down A1A, stop, and create gridlock. it becomes a health risk if first responders need to reach the island from the mainland (the bridges are congested).

They always cry racism, but it's a public safety issue.

[Tax-chick]

So do they have different traffic plans for the two groups because one group is larger than the other, or is it some other issue?

[txroadhawg]

I go to these types of events all the time and they are two different crowds. The main stream biker group, which includes many ethnic groups, are well mannered. Most are blue collar and professional types during the week and ride on weekends. The merchants are always glad to see us come to their town and are a great boost for the local economy. The other group, which is all black with no one else invited, is always trouble for the locals who usually lock up and stay closed during the event. Like the local law enforcement said, two different events require two different plans. It has nothing to do with segregation except for the fact they segregate themselves.

[scfirewall]

These people have no idea what they are talking about.

Myrtle beach and Atlantic Beach have separate Police Departments, Myrtle Beach has no say whatsoever in Atlantic Beach.

Also, Things Might be treated a little differently considering that Myrtle Beach is the #1 Tourist destination in South Carolina.....and that Atlantic beach is just another stoplight on the way to that glorious Mecca of Sun,Sand and Beautiful Girls!

[digger48]

The mention of black bikers on FR made me remember a black bike gang in this area in the 80's.

The leader was a 300 pounder on a Kawaski 750, and he wore a fur and horn adorned Viking war helmet.

You'd almost have to pull off the road from laughing so hard when you'd see him coming.

[WideGlide]

reminds him of a fence that segregated white beachgoers from black swimmers.

I guess the next thing that will trigger the Rev.s traumatic stress syndrome will be the freshly painted WHITE LINES!! OMG

[reelfoot]

Permanent victimization/feelings hurt warning.

[stainlessbanner]

Basically yes. I don't know the civil management policies of Myrtle Bch, but most of these decisions are based on public safety, traffic load, traffic patterns, security, etc.

The irony is that this group singles itself away from the mainstream, and then complains about differences.

[Tax-chick]

Thanks! The story caught my eye because we're going to Myrtle Beach in a couple of weeks.

[dragonflysrfree]

You want equal treatment ACT equal! I have witnessed sex on the sidewalks,urination,throwing trash,completely blocking traffic with RV's throwing beer bottles into the road,driving between cars and on the grass through traffic and a blatant respect for the people who live here and the law. THEY do NOT behave the same as the Harley week people do which do include people of color. They come to restaurants in a group of 30+ and walk out on the bill, then next year threaten to burn it down. I don't care if they are black or pink with purple poka dots or any other color...this group brings a whole lot of disrespectable people, not all but a definite majority. Can you make that point to them? RESPECT the laws here and the people who have to work and live here. IT'S NOT A BLACK ISSUE as you would like to make it, but when you are looking for a reason...any one will do!

[Lazamataz]

I must get one of these.

It's so.... LAZ.

[A CA Guy]

The only real issue I can see would be the amount of people who intend to participate, what facilities they rented for the event and then how traffic will be effected.

If a third of the people as an example are going to the non-black event, then a different route might be used to not hurt business and for other reasons.

[A CA Guy]

The only real issue I can see would be the amount of people who intend to participate, what facilities they rented for the event and then how traffic will be effected.

If a third of the people as an example are going to the non-black event, then a different route might be used to not hurt business and for other reasons.

[OKIEDOC]

The RACE BAITERS come out when donations start to slack off.

[SeeRushToldU_So]

You might want to check your calender.

[SeeRushToldU_So]

Check it out.

http://www.blackbeachweek.com/blackbikeweek1.html

[Tax-chick]

Thanks! The NC FReepers tell me the black bike rally is this week coming up, while we'll be there the following week, so there shouldn't be any problem. With seven kids and two senior citizens (and two fundamentalist FReepin' parents) we probably wouldn't be in the same area as the bikers, anyway. (I hope!)

[Tax-chick]

Ah. Just checked the link ... definitely this will be over before we get there ... and hopefully all cleaned up. Frankly, I'd have chosen another location, but this was my mom's choice, because she has friends in the area who helped her find a rental house. Also some of my in-laws (sigh) live in Myrtle Beach. It looks like my husband will get to attend his niece's high school graduation, which is good.