March 16, 2005
NAACP seeking injunction against City of Myrtle Beach before Black Bike Week
The NAACP is seeking an injunction against the City of Myrtle Beach, SC, in hopes of getting what it terms "racist traffic rules" lifted in time for this year's Black Bike Week this coming Memorial Day weekend.
You read that right. The so-called"racist traffic rules" are comprised of turning Ocean Boulevard, the main drag along the beach in Myrtle Beach, into a one-way street, in order to better facilitate traffic along the 60-block stretch.
Mind you, there are 350,000 people expected in this stretch of road on that particular weekend.
"To prevent further violations of plaintiffs' constitutional rights during Black Bike Week in 2005, the plaintiffs request this court to enter a preliminary injunction prohibiting the city from using its oppressive one-way traffic pattern along Ocean Boulevard," said the motion.Waitaminit -- 200,000 people in a 60-mile stretch of shoreline, versus 350,000 people in a 60-block stretch of roadway? Heck, that's less than 10 miles!The suit alleges traffic enforcement discriminates against black bikers and that Ocean Boulevard, the hotel-lined street closest to the beach, is limited to one-way traffic, causing congestion.
It contends that policy is discriminatory causing blacks to feel unwelcome and that there are far more police on hand than during the Harley rally.
City officials have said the Harley-Davidson rally draws about 200,000 people to the 60-mile Grand Strand, the black biker rally attracts as many as 350,000 people to a smaller 60-block area of the beach.
I've been through my share of spring breaks and Freakniks. The police have to change traffic patterns to keep an orderly flow of traffic.
Besides -- I didn't see them screaming racism when they changed Peachtree Street to a one-way street during multiple Freakniks here in Atlanta.
Posted by mhking at March 16, 2005 10:18 PMCan't speak about Harley Week, but i've been to several NASCAR races at Darlington. After the race the SC highway patrol turns the country roads into one way streets. Sounds like smart traffic control to me.
Posted by: craig henry at March 17, 2005 11:37 AMNever even heard of "Black Bike Week"....Just got back from Bike Week last weekend and I'd love to go to Black Bike Week.....
However, since this cold/flu/black death/whatever has got me down and I'm leaking from every orifice, I'm not going ANYWHERE this weekend....
Bummer....
Posted by: CrzyDJM at March 18, 2005 06:52 AMThe NAACP sues over Black Bike Week every year in some fashion. It has been businesses who choose to close (because their employees can't get to work in some cases) that week before. They've also sued hotels and restaurants for discrimination during that week also.
Posted by: Jeff at March 18, 2005 12:42 PMCan someone explain how a one-way street is racist? I don't understand the argument....
Posted by: Pious Agnostic at March 18, 2005 09:20 PMFrom i can gather from seeing picture of Black Biker Week it is more of freaknik then ever also i dont see a problem with hotel or restaurant closing during that time for the simple reason for prior knowledge black people dont know how to act in the restaurants finally during the event the damn girl out in public showing their tities and pussy to everyone nothing but a hoe fest
Posted by: Anthony Williams at March 21, 2005 12:43 AMBike week is an event that attracted people from all over the USA. For many years people enjoyed themself and their friends here. Seems to me what should happen is let the black people have Myrtle Beach and the Myrtle Beach politicians ! Lets get out of there and move to Charleston or any other location and leave the problems behind ! If Myrtle Beach don't like our MONEY then believe me and community will gladly accept it, don't you think.Keep the shiney side up. H-D man!
Posted by: JOHN E. MANN at May 7, 2005 08:37 AMHey black guys...go to myrtle beach and act like human beings, tip your bartenders and waitresses well and treat them like you would like to be treated and see how much more you will be welcome there.
Posted by: Don at May 16, 2005 06:13 PM