The NAACP has filed a lawsuit against the city of Myrtle Beach, claiming racial discrimination against the African Americans who visit the city during Bikefest.
Along with three others in the suit, the NAACP is in dispute with the city’s police department over a traffic pattern that they claim is only in place during “Black Bike Week” and not during other times when there are predominately white tourists in the city for Harley Week.
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The venerable Civil Rights organization claims the traffic loop used during the festival is a form of discrimination against African-Americans.
“Time’s up on discrimination in Myrtle Beach,” said Anson Asaka, NAACP associate general counsel.
“All citizens are entitled to equal protection under the law and have the rights of expression, assembly and association,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson in a press release. “The city’s traffic plan and overly-aggressive policing tactics during Black Bike Week violates those fundamental constitutional rights. The association will continue to use the courts to fight such blatant discrimination.”
Opponents have long called the Myrtle Beach police officers’ behavior during Black Bike Week a clear pattern of “shame, humiliation and discrimination.”
The complaint says the city and police department enforce no traffic pattern during Harley Week which reportedly attracts mostly white attendees, but restrict traffic on Ocean Boulevard during Black Bike Week, according to a release.
The complaint also alleges that the city deploys far more police officers during “Black Bike Week” than Harley Week and that the police officers utilize overly aggressive policing tactics against African Americans, the release states.
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Mickey James, Myrtle Beach NAACP president, said today is the beginning of a new era for hope, justice and equality in Myrtle Beach.
Myrtle Beach’s city manager John Pedersen and police public information officer Joey Crosby said they will not comment on pending litigation.