Charges of racial bias Black Bike Week

traffic stop @ black bike week 2007.

in 2003 group of black motorcyclists, , south carolina chapter of national association advancement of colored people, sued city of myrtle beach , businesses there alleging discrimination. city accused of abusing traffic law enforcement , of excessive force police harass black bikers. many businesses closed doors or cut hours during black bike week, , 28 of them, including red lobster , denny s named in suit. baltimore, maryland police detective motorcyclist told new york times, ve seen myself. when white bikers come myrtle beach, town rolls out red carpet. when black riders come, roll right up. city officials said younger crowd, , double attendance, of black bike week justified difference in city s response 2 events.

in may 25, 2003 article in new york times, jeffrey gettleman reported pattern had emerged of black social , party events growing ever larger in stature , collapsing , being shut down, particularly in southern united states. examples given included freaknik in atlanta, georgia, spring break in biloxi, mississippi, , various festivals in new orleans, louisiana, , virginia beach, virginia. myrtle beach mayor mark mcbride said in 2003 black bike week crowds bigger , rowdier, although year white harley rally had 8 motorcycle traffic deaths, while black memorial day rally had 3 motorcycle traffic deaths.

in 2008, naacp issued press release claiming success in concluding every federal discrimination lawsuit had filed in myrtle beach complaints during bike week events 1999–2003, against city of myrtle beach, , restaurants included damon s oceanfront , barefoot landing, j. edward s great ribs, , greg norman s australian grill, yachtsman resort hotel. in settlement city, police department agreed use same traffic pattern on city s main boulevard black bike week did harley bike week.

from 2005 through 2008 naacp carried out operation bike week justice in complaint hotline operated, , teams monitored police treatment of african americans, , reaction of local businesses, monitoring traffic patterns. friendly s ice cream corporation , myrtle beach friends boulevard llc sued in 2008 naacp allegedly closing indoor area , offering inferior outdoor service during black bike weeks 2000–2005.

according naacp lawsuit, yachtsman resort hotel had required black bike week guests sign thirty-four rule guest contract, prepay hotel bill , show photo id. hotel agreed settle case, , in addition payment of $1.2 million, hotel agreed provide future discounts , make policy changes including yearly anti-discrimination training employees. settlement did not require hotel admit discrimination.

in 2010, naacp released press release indicating continue monitor police , local businesses possible discrimination.