NAACP Alleges Bias During Biker Rally

AP | 5/21/03 | BRUCE SMITH

[kattracks]

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — The NAACP claims in two lawsuits that Myrtle Beach authorities and a hotel discriminate against blacks during a biker rally held each Memorial Day weekend along the South Carolina coast.

The group said it also was filing a complaint with the state's Human Affairs Commission, alleging more than two dozen restaurants in the Myrtle Beach area closed last year to avoid serving blacks. Some of the restaurants named, including Denny's and Red Lobster, said they were open.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and 18 people filed the lawsuits Tuesday in federal court in Florence. They allege that bikers participating in the Atlantic Beach Bikefest are treated differently than the predominantly white bikers at the Carolina Harley-Davidson Dealers Association Myrtle Beach Rally held a week earlier.

The lawsuits accuse city officials and the hospitality industry of trying to discourage black bikers from visiting in part out of "a fear that the festival would create an image that Myrtle Beach is a 'black beach' in the eyes of white tourists."

The lawsuit says the city's tactics include adding police officers and increasing the number of one-way streets, causing congestion and making black bikers feel unwelcome.

City spokesman Mark Kruea dismissed the accusation as "absurd" and said traffic control policies are determined by the size of crowds.

The Harley-Davidson rally draws about 200,000 people to the 60-mile stretch from Georgetown to the North Carolina state line. The black biker rally draws as many as 350,000 bikers, he said.

The lawsuit against the Yachtsman Resort Hotel said the hotel charges more during the Bikefest, and guests are made to sign contracts not required at other times.

The hotel's general manager, Tom Gardiner, said Tuesday he had not yet seen the lawsuit and could not comment in detail.

"We feel our practices and procedures have been fair and similar to what we do at other times of the year," he said.

Both lawsuits seek injunctions to stop the alleged discrimination and unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

[GOP_Proud]

Yawn.

[chief911]

Unless the hotels charge more only during the black bike rally there is no case here. Try to get a hotel in a NASCAR town on race weekend. You'll pay 3X more than usual and be required a minimum stay with the first night paid up front, usually in cash (no credit card). I just went though this in Charlotte last weekend for the Winston. Just deal with it people. It's capitalism at its best and nothing new.

[StoneColdTaxHater]

Hate to say it but many of the "African-American" gatherings get violent. So much of the thug life element invades that it gets out of hand.

[FreedomPoster]

Yes, it is capitalism, but if the usual suspects can turn it into a racial issue for fun and profit, past experience says they will. It will only stop when the race warlords no longer profit.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

The lawsuit says the city's tactics include adding police officers and increasing the number of one-way streets, causing congestion and making black bikers feel unwelcome.

What is it about one-way streets that black bikers don't like?.........lol.....

[toddst]

The closing of businesses is all about problems with the black bikers. Bills aren't paid (in restaurants) and damage is done in hotels/motels.

The Harley-Davidson rally (mostly white) has very few problems other than loud exhausts on some bikes. The police are very patient during the H-D rally but firm when required.

Because of the problems with the black bikers it appears most businesses would prefer that rally go away.

[FreedomPoster]

One-way streets are prima facie evidence of racism. < /sarcasm>

[dwilli]

Wonder when the bias lawsuit will be filed against Atlanta
Ga. and its treatment of Freaknic?

[Elkiejg]

When I first read the title of this article - I thought the NAACP was claiming racism FROM white bikers towards black bikers and had to laugh. Now white bikers are one group I wouldn't want to irritate!!

[AppyPappy]

boycott...boycott...boycott

[FreedomPoster]

Good question. It was largely a combination of middle-class blacks and small business/restaurant owners who got tired of the debauchery that was Freaknik-in-Atlanta, who got the black political power structure of the City of Atlanta to clamp down and choke the life out of that event. And good riddance.

[dhuffman@awod.com]

Yes, 'very few problems' including at latest count nine fatalities, more than twice the previous years count. When they tried to 'rally' in Charleston there were no open municipal arms and no reported fatalities.

Let them eat cake in Myrtle Beach and allow the community to try to protect itself and them. When the community balances the (tax) income with the cost of the event then I imagine we'll see more closures.

[GOP_Proud]

Black or white, if any bike rally is in town, I want out.

Sorry to offend everyone who rides 'em, but they're just too darn loud. I got caught in York, PA a few years ago in the middle of a Harley event. After driving for miles with bikes all around me, I finally just pulled off onto a side street and drove a few blocks away from the main drag and stopped. I just sat there for about 15 minutes clearing my head and ears.

[Conspiracy Guy]

One way streets are the hallmark of racism. We still have them in Birmingham. One way streets always make me think of police dogs and firehoses. Bull Conner invented the one way street specifically to make black bikers uncomfortable. This is soooooooooo tragic.

[gunnedah]

For any of you who care,go down there during the biker weeks,look around and even better carry a video camera and record.
I have been there during both weekends before and I tell you there is a big difference with the actions of those there.
It is high time this country gets to the place where we face the facts and truth and call it what it is.
Diversity and equal rights are supposed to apply to all but with the PC crowd it only applies one way.

[chachacha]

Come on folks pull up your boot straps and stop blaming the world for all your personal problems. If hate, racism and failure was a virtue, you would be at the top of your class.

When you need a score of (FORTY) to pass an exam (in Florida)and fail, then go on to sue the system for your lack of ability you need help.

Folks you are failing because of your attitude, your hero's, your upbringing, your teachers, your leaders, your parents, your politics, your racism, your hate, your cloths, your speech, your begging, your complaining, and most of all the failure of all those who have succeeded stand up and correct all the above in the rest of you. THE SILENT MAJORITY IN YOUR COMMUNITY ARE FAILING!

Wake up it's getting old.

[monocle]

At least in India the sacred cows don't file lawsuits.

[Catspaw]

Try to get a hotel/motel room in the Green Bay area on a Packer home game weekend--the rooms are sold out within minutes of the announcement of the schedule, two night minimum and rack rates (no deals). Ditto for hotel/motel rooms in a 150 mile radius from Oshkosh during the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) convention, AirVenture.

[OldSmaj]

The black biker rally draws as many as 350,000 bikers, he said.

Hmmm.

I've been there. That figure is suspect.

Are they using the Farrakhan method of counting?