Hundreds gather in Delray Beach to protest lack of activities for black community [Dance shooting]

Sun-Sentinel ^ | 3-21-05 | Leon Fooksman

[OXENinFLA]

DELRAY BEACH -- Amid the sound of blaring car stereos, more than 350 black people packed the sidewalks of West Atlantic Avenue Sunday night to demand the city create more entertainment and allow them to gather there on a regular basis.
[snip]
"We came here because there's nothing social for us to do," said Crystal Carter, 32, who stood with her son, Crystopher, 11. "We're all enjoying this. We even brought our kids out."

The avenue started filling up in front of the gas stations between Eighth and 10th avenues about 7:30 p.m. after a coordinated football game and a cookout ended several blocks away at Pompey Park.

The event took on the atmosphere of a street party. Someone was selling food from a van. Cars clogged the roads, crowded a gas station and parked in front of homes in residential areas and lots with no-parking signs.

Eight police officers stood in the median and on the side streets, watching over the crowd and the traffic. Officers didn't plan to make arrests or issue citations concerning open drinking of alcohol and what appeared to be people smoking marijuana, said Lt. Marc Woods. Although officers were concerned about the illegal activities, they wanted to "allow the community to grieve" for Miller, Woods said.

[OXENinFLA]

Oh this is just what that city needs.

Let the people see that they can openly break the law RIGHT IN FRONT OF COPS.

The inmates are running the asylum.

---

And this line just made me laugh...." to demand the city create more entertainment and allow them to gather there on a regular basis."

So instead of using their own money and buying things at a privately owed business, they want the city to pay for it so it will be "free".

Just wait till they get their next tax-hike.

[OXENinFLA]

Lawlessness in Delray Beach ping...

[cyborg]

Sounds like people making excuses for their own bad behavior.

[Puppage]

Amid the sound of blaring car stereos, more than 350 black people packed the sidewalks of West Atlantic Avenue Sunday night to demand the city create more entertainment

You have the right to persue happiness, you do not have the right to have that happiness provided for you!

[5Madman2]

That be assuming they pay taxes-It appears these are persons on public assistance demanding more

[cyborg]

Instead of whining and complaining, perhaps they should put money together and open up a Jillian's-type place with video games, food and other games. I find it hard to believe there's NOTHING to do. It's not as if they're in the middle of a place like Montana with not a lot of people or places to go.

[Condor51]

Florida huh, well all I can say is..

These "350 black people" better watch their step -

or 'judge' Greer will cut off their food.

Now that the cops will enforce.

[Pookee]

When did it become the government's job to entertain people!?

[MissEdie]

Now why would they expect to have to use their own money for their own entertainment? ~sarcasm alert

[ken5050]

guess it be the 'hood, baby..

[odoso]

"We came here because there's nothing social for us to do,"

How sad, demanding relief from stupidity.

[L98Fiero]

"It was the latest action after a rookie police officer's shooting and killing of 16-year-old Jerrod Miller last month at a teen dance."

This is what it's about. They feel "owed".

[Arrowhead1952]

Just glancing at the title, I thought this was a thread about Austin, TX. The city manager here, Toby Futtrell, finished a report that said that blacks are moving out in record numbers.

What the report fails to mention, is that the percentage of the white population has dropped much more than the blacks. Another item not mentioned is that the Hispanic and Asian percentage population has increased by more than the blacks and whites.

I'll see if I can find it in the on line edition and post it later.

[spodefly]

Many black residents said they feel uncomfortable going to the white-dominated restaurants and bars along East Atlantic Avenue. In protest, many have gathered in similar fashion along West Atlantic Avenue.

Eight police officers stood in the median and on the side streets, watching over the crowd and the traffic. Officers didn't plan to make arrests or issue citations concerning open drinking of alcohol and what appeared to be people smoking marijuana ... Department officials plan to speak to organizers, including members of the NAACP, about stopping the drug use and keeping the cars out of no-parking areas ...

There is no comment that I can make about this article that will not, by currently accepted definition, be a racist comment.

[usgator]

When did it become the government's job to entertain people!?

I Guess that welfare, affirmative action, NAACP, United Negro College Fund and countless other projects are just not enough.  Here's an idea ... get off your whiney, lazy butts and do it for yourselves like every other minority in this country has to.

Disclaimer: I am, of course, ONLY talking about the people who expect handouts, etc with no effort to do anything on their own.  If you are NOT part of this group then I am NOT talking about you.

[usgator]

There is no comment that I can make about this article that will not, by currently accepted definition, be a racist comment.

You mean the usual excuse every time someone points out anything even slightly negative?

[CDHart]

"The inmates are running the asylum."

Check out my tagline.

Carolyn

[Skooz]

Work ethic?

What are you, some kinda' religious Puritannical kook racist?

[Loud Mime]

Paging Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton.....

[cyborg]

Yeah Lord knows they need something to do.

[spodefly]

You mean the usual excuse every time someone points out anything even slightly negative?

I suppose we have to accept that blacks can avoid 'white' establishments because the 'dont feel comfortable', and instead gather in public areas, smoke pot and drink alcohol, demand government provided 'social' activities, and the cops will handle the matter with kid gloves rather than generally accepted (i.e., 'white') law enforcement, and there is not a damn thing that can be done about it except to acquiesce, lest the city be burned to the ground in riots.

PC and diversity uber alles.

[Lockbar]

The city fathers need to buy these FOLKS a run down Motel where they can all hang out in the parking lot, smash 40 0z. glass beer bottles on the ground, and just STAY.

[Arrowhead1952]

Just posted the article.

Austin needs to work on what it has to offer African Americans

[Skooz]

I was being sarcastic, Sho Nuff.

I agree with you. Lighten up.

[OXENinFLA]

Have you seen the Lawyer that has taken the case?

Willie Gary

And check out his $11 Million Plane.

Maybe the people of Delray beach can get him to build them some entertainment...

[retiredcpo]

These people want entertainment and activities for their black race. Yet if the white race wanted entertainment and activities of their own what a howl you would hear.

[SouthernBoyupNorth]

Ya Know.... This has got to be one of the most disturbing things I have seen. What right do these people have to demand that they be provided with "entertainment". I mean other than skin tone and a generally apathetic attitude towards entertaining themselves? Oops was that racist? TO BAD! No one group has the RIGHT to be entertained! Especially at government expense! If you break the law together then you need to be arrested together. RACK 'EM, PACK 'EM, and STACK 'EM.

Since when does being a different ethnic group mean you get special treatment, special laws and special entertainment.

Oh I just had a thought.... Why don't we bring back the Roman Coliseum games... you know feeding people to lions, gladiators etc. etc. We can start with them!

[BBell]

O.K. I read the whole article and I still don't understand what these people expect the city to do for them. Build them a club with tax payer money with a no whites allowed on the front door? I don't know.

[cspackler]

Well, it took until post 7 this time, but we have another "irrelevant Schaivo" reference winner...

[aaronbeth]

I want a "Department Of Fun" established with taxpayer money. I want them to come to my house for an 'intake' appt, and evaluate the social and entertainment needs of my family.I want them to survey the 'fun' venues in my community-or lack of- and provide my family with a subsidy every month that is appropriate and will provide for and enhance our social and entertainment needs. sarcasm/ off
ps: Why didn't these bored people plant trees in honor of Algore's birthday? Isn't caring for and renewing the environment fun?

[Condor51]

***Well, it took until post 7 this time, but we have another "irrelevant Schaivo" reference winner...***

Post #7? Drat, that's because I type slow.

[aaronbeth]

oops-guess I shouldn't be in charge of the "Dept. of Fun."

[Caipirabob]

Actually, just two miles East of I-95 on Atlantic, the very same street, is one of the hotest open street night areas in South Florida to party. My wife and I go there all the time. Great restaurants for all moods and wallets, great bars, pool halls, stores...This is simply idiocy in action. You have to drive through this area to get to the party area. They could trip outside their front door and land there.

[OXENinFLA]

"Department Of Fun you say? That sounds like a good idea. We can put it right next to The Department of Peace..."

[sasafras]

Blacks get away with this because they are black. Its sad to see so many blacks act like animals and for their community to condone such behavior. When blacks quit blaming others and start blaming themselves they will start to see improvements in the moral decay that has captured their community. Its a message for all races.

[Condor51]

BTW, I believe you missed the sarcasm in my comment regarding the fact that the Police refused to enforce, and utterly ignored, just a few laws that were being openly broken.

[spodefly]

Since when does being a different ethnic group mean you get special treatment, special laws and special entertainment?

Since 'white guilt' became the predominant neurosis affecting every single public policy decision.

[MamaTexan]

Officers didn't plan to make arrests or issue citations concerning open drinking of alcohol and what appeared to be people smoking marijuana,

Yeah, but make sure you arrest all those little white kids for possessing that dangerous substance....

WATER!

[cspackler]

Nah, I got it. I've just been enjoying the creativity of Freepers today in tying every thread back to Schaivo.

[aaronbeth]

Let's just consolidate Dept's of Fun and Peace. After all, the federal gov't will be in charge and it will be a happy,fun,peaceful world!Waterfountains will spew lemonade,clouds will be made of cotton candy,and 40 ozs will grow on trees...

[Mr. K]

its not that there is nothing to do, its just that they want something FREE

[Sam Cree]

This is really weird, IMO. Citizens demanding that entertainment be provided by higher authority in the form of Central Planning?

[Steve_Seattle]

The excised part of this story mentions that these events were somehow related to the recent shooting of a black teenager ("Miller") by a rookie cop. Apparently it was a protest of sorts, claiming that black youth have no opportunities for "good clean fun." It's a crock, of course. People who can afford cars with blaring radios can afford to entertain themselves in ways not harmful to society or disruptive of the rights of others.

[Steve_Seattle]

"BTW, I believe you missed the sarcasm in my comment regarding the fact that the Police refused to enforce, and utterly ignored, just a few laws that were being openly broken."

You gotta "know when to hold em, know when to fold em . . . know when to walk away." It isn't clear from this article, but all of this was a response to the recent shooting of a black teenager by a cop (the circumstances of the shooting aren't mentioned). I think the cops "stood down" in this case because they didn't want to pour more fuel on the fire. I think it's a legitimate situational judgment call.