[Transcript From Video by Sundance]

…” We will continue from this point on, til’ next year, to try and come up with a way to solve the problems that we have.  Because you’re right, I see it wasn’t safe, we were held hostage”. 

“This is not what Myrtle Beach is about.  We are, and still are, a great family resort.  I think now it’s … we have to overcome the negative publicity we’ve had nation wide, world wide.   And that’s where the Chamber’s revenue is going to come in, and spend the funds to overcome this, so we will have a decent summer.”

“We cannot afford to lose business.  But this council will work, and work, and work, to become the solutions to these problems, and try to solve them as best we can.”

“We understand everybody’s frustrations.  Your anger; and y’all being fearful of being outside.”

Ten People Shot, Three Killed…..

[The Shootings]  Officers responded at about 11 p.m. Saturday to a reported large fight outside the Bermuda Sands. Three shots were fired before police arrived, striking Keith Williams. As police were providing medical attention to Keith Williams, those involved in the fight moved to the second floor of Bermuda Sands, according to police.

After about five minutes, officers said the shooter then went to the second floor of the hotel and fired several shots at Jamie Williams, Dantzler and Barnwell, who police say were involved in the fight.

Police believe the shooter fled the rear of the hotel. No arrests had been made as of Tuesday evening.

Jamie Williams and Dantzler died immediately, and Barnwell and Keith Williams were taken to Grand Strand with gunshot wounds. Barnwell was pronounced dead at the hospital.

On Saturday, another person was injured in a shooting at Sixth Avenue South and Ocean Boulevard.  

Two more were injured in a shooting at Eighth Avenue North and Ocean Boulevard.

Another was shot in the leg at the Fountain Bleu Motel at Seventh Avenue North and Flagg Street.

On Sunday, two were injured in a shooting at the Wave Rider Resort at 1600 South Ocean Boulevard.

Horry County Council Chairman Mark Lazarus said he, Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes and city and county staff plan to meet with Gov. Nikki Haley on Friday to discuss ways to make the weekend safer. S.C. lawmakers have extended their support to Myrtle Beach and said they will offer whatever state resources the city needs to get things under control. (read more)

Who is the city held hostage to ?

The NAACP Vows To Enforce Black Biker Rights:

(VIA NAACP) The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will again keep a close watch on the City of Myrtle Beach (S.C.) and local businesses this holiday weekend as annual Black Bike Week festivities get underway.

For the fourth consecutive year the NAACP will conduct Operation Bike Week Justice to monitor activities in the resort town during Black Bike Week, the annual Memorial Day weekend gathering of African American motorcycle enthusiasts.

Throughout the weekend, NAACP teams will be monitoring police activity and treatment of African American visitors, observing the practices of local businesses and watching traffic patterns.

In recent years, the NAACP and African Americans have filed and settled federal lawsuits against the City of Myrtle Beach and areas businesses for unequal treatment of Black Bike Week visitors compared to those who attend Harley Week, traditionally held one week earlier and a predominately white event.

“Any form of racial discrimination against Black Bike Week visitors will not be tolerated,” said NAACP Field Operations Chief Rev. Nelson B. Rivers, III, and a native South Carolinian. “Closing businesses or refusing to provide equal services to Black Bike Week visitors that are provided to visitors at other times of the year, not only makes no economic sense, it is against the law.”

Again this year, a complaint hotline will be activated for individuals to report closed restaurants, police misconduct or other unfair treatment. Black Bike Week attendees can report incidents by calling or by visiting Sandy Grove Baptist Church located at 1008 Carver Street [in Myrtle Beach] to file a complaint in person. Calls in previous years listed complaints against businesses for increased prices and noted police misconduct, frivolous charges and large fines for minor offenses.

Some progress has been made the last two years. Two more undisclosed settlements with offending businesses were reached recently. However, the NAACP remains concerned about the disproportionate number of arrests and the quality of police training in response to such large gatherings. Additionally, several establishments remain closed and continue to engage in discriminatory practices despite being aware of the lawsuits and Operation Bike Week Justice.

Moreover, last October the NAACP, the Conway, S.C. Branch of the NAACP and a Maryland resident were compelled to file a class action lawsuit against Friendly’s Ice Cream Corporation, its local franchisee, Myrtle Beach Friends Boulevard LLC, and the franchisee owners for discriminating against African Americans by closing the inside of their Ocean Boulevard location during every Black Bike Week from 2000 through 2005 and only offering inferior services outside the restaurant.

“This degrading second class treatment harkens back to an era when restaurant lunch counters were reserved for whites only,” said NAACP Interim General Counsel Angela Ciccolo. “African Americans were forced to eat substandard food, not regular Friendly’s fare, outside the restaurant which was in plain sight and in proper working order. Such practices send a clear message to African Americans that they are separate and unequal.”

In 2006, the NAACP successfully concluded every federal discrimination lawsuit filed in Myrtle Beach that arose from complaints by African American tourists who attended Black Bike Week festivities between 1999 and 2003. The lawsuits referenced unequal treatment of black motorcyclists by the city, four restaurants and a hotel.

Negotiated settlements were reached with the City of Myrtle Beach, Damon’s Oceanfront and Barefoot Landing, Greg Norman’s Australian Grill, the Yachtsman Resort Hotel and J. Edward’s Great Ribs and More.

“The NAACP remains vigilant in order to ensure that all tourists are treated equally,” said Myrtle Beach NAACP Branch President Mickey James. “We will continue to pursue litigation to right these wrongs.” (read more)

Atlantic Beach town manager, William Booker, who promotes the event (left).  Myrtle Beach Mayor, John Rhodes, dealing with consequences (right)

This specific example is an interesting case study in politically correct anxiety to follow.

And if you want to follow the sociology, and watch how it plays out, here are some links to reference and follow along:

The Sponsor site and promotional page of Black Bike Week – HERE

The Sponsor Facebook page of Black Bike Week – HERE

The PC correctly titled opposition Facebook page “End Bike Fest” – HERE

The PC Local Media reporting HERE and HERE and HERE

More Local Media reporting HERE