2yld
05-22-2008, 09:20 PM
More bullshit. The way they act during their bike week, you can't compare the two weeks. If they are treated differently, it's because of the way they act. They have to use the convention center every year as a jail because there are so many arrests made. You have to earn respect.
You should hear the stories we've been told...
.
By Lorena Anderson
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will be vigilant in Myrtle Beach during the Memorial Day weekend, and says it won't hesitate to call out racist behavior.
''Will we sue you? Yes we will. Will we march on you? Yes we will. Will we protest in front of your business? Yes we will,'' said Nelson Rivers, the NAACP's chief operating officer at a press conference this morning. "When the big dog barks, you must back up."
The conference was called to announce the launch of Operation: Bike Week Justice, an annual effort to monitor both the Harley Week and Atlantic Beach bike rallies to make sure people are treated the same on both weekends.
The NAACP filed lawsuits against the city and local businesses in recent years, after complaints of discrimination were filed. The one that has not settled yet involves Friendly's Restaurant, which the NAACP alleges forced African Americans to eat only barbecue and to sit outside because the restuarant closed for the Atlantic Beach bike rally weekend.
The Harley Week rally is attended by mostly white bikers, while the Atlantic Beach bike rally is mainly attended by African Americans.
The two events are different in other ways, too. The Harley riders tend to be older, while the sport-bike riders are younger, said the city's human resources Director Coleman Randall. Harley week tends to be about riding, whereas the the Memorial Day weekend rally draws more visitors in cars and is essentially a large street party that focuses on Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach and in Atlantic Beach.
But the NAACP said there's no reason people should be treated differently, made to pay more to stay in hotels or be faced with fewer choices because some businesses historically have closed for the Memorial weekend rally.
''Business owners are in business to make money," he said. "They close during down times. It's not logical to close your business in a resort town on Memorial Day weekend, and if it's not logical, it must be personal, political or racist.''
NAACP lawyer Anson Asaka spoke at the morning press conference, too, urging everyone, including rally attendees, businesses and law enforcement to "do the right thing."
Rivers said the NAACP will continue to watch the bike rallies for as many years as it takes to effect real change. Some things are better, he said, but the area still bears watching.
Ann Anderson, vice president of the Conway branch of the NAACP, said the group expects all people, regardless of race, to be treated equally and to have their civil rights honored.
"We expect people to abide by the laws of the cities," she said, "and the laws are to abide likewise."
People who see or experience discrimination are asked to call the NAACP's hotline at (888) 362-8683.
You should hear the stories we've been told...
.
By Lorena Anderson
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will be vigilant in Myrtle Beach during the Memorial Day weekend, and says it won't hesitate to call out racist behavior.
''Will we sue you? Yes we will. Will we march on you? Yes we will. Will we protest in front of your business? Yes we will,'' said Nelson Rivers, the NAACP's chief operating officer at a press conference this morning. "When the big dog barks, you must back up."
The conference was called to announce the launch of Operation: Bike Week Justice, an annual effort to monitor both the Harley Week and Atlantic Beach bike rallies to make sure people are treated the same on both weekends.
The NAACP filed lawsuits against the city and local businesses in recent years, after complaints of discrimination were filed. The one that has not settled yet involves Friendly's Restaurant, which the NAACP alleges forced African Americans to eat only barbecue and to sit outside because the restuarant closed for the Atlantic Beach bike rally weekend.
The Harley Week rally is attended by mostly white bikers, while the Atlantic Beach bike rally is mainly attended by African Americans.
The two events are different in other ways, too. The Harley riders tend to be older, while the sport-bike riders are younger, said the city's human resources Director Coleman Randall. Harley week tends to be about riding, whereas the the Memorial Day weekend rally draws more visitors in cars and is essentially a large street party that focuses on Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach and in Atlantic Beach.
But the NAACP said there's no reason people should be treated differently, made to pay more to stay in hotels or be faced with fewer choices because some businesses historically have closed for the Memorial weekend rally.
''Business owners are in business to make money," he said. "They close during down times. It's not logical to close your business in a resort town on Memorial Day weekend, and if it's not logical, it must be personal, political or racist.''
NAACP lawyer Anson Asaka spoke at the morning press conference, too, urging everyone, including rally attendees, businesses and law enforcement to "do the right thing."
Rivers said the NAACP will continue to watch the bike rallies for as many years as it takes to effect real change. Some things are better, he said, but the area still bears watching.
Ann Anderson, vice president of the Conway branch of the NAACP, said the group expects all people, regardless of race, to be treated equally and to have their civil rights honored.
"We expect people to abide by the laws of the cities," she said, "and the laws are to abide likewise."
People who see or experience discrimination are asked to call the NAACP's hotline at (888) 362-8683.