Furious and frustrated after the weekend shooting death of a 20-year-old
Coastal Carolina University student, Myrtle Beach City Council members
said Tuesday that they do not want motorcycle rallies in the city any
more.
A group of local ministers and a bike-rally event promoter spoke to the
council at a morning workshop Tuesday and implored the city to help
them "do something" about the behavior they witnessed during the past
weekend. Other groups have complained to city officials in previous
years after the Atlantic Beach Bikefest biker rally and the
Harley-Davidson spring rally.
"I experienced something ... enough is enough," the Rev. Tim McCray
told the council on Tuesday. He said he and others had not slept for
the past four days during the Atlantic Beach Bikefest, staying up to
get a firsthand look at the parties that have for years concerned
residents and prompted complaints. "They were up there partying, doing
things they shouldn't be doing."
Grand Strand Connection is an umbrella group that is trying to help
solve "issues that threaten the harmony of Myrtle Beach," said McCray,
the group's founder. The group is bringing together local officials,
clergy, hotel owners, restaurants and other groups that plan and hold
events geared toward bikers to make the spring and fall bike rallies
more organized.
McCray said he witnessed public sex acts and other behavior, not among
the sport bikers who traditionally have come to the area during
Memorial Day weekend, but among the 16- to 20-year-olds who arrive by
the carload to party during weekend rally.
"We know the NAACP has you locked down," McCray told the council. The
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has sued the
city and area businesses for what it has called racist behavior during
the Atlantic Beach Bikefest, which is visited predominantly by African
Americans and happens around Memorial Day weekend.
Others argue that those who come to the Atlantic Beach Bikefest —
whatever their race —don't behave properly, don't respect the city and
its residents and cause more trouble than they are worth financially.
The NAACP has monitored the Bikefest and the Harley-Davidson spring
rally to make sure people are treated fairly at both events.
Myrtle Beach Councilman Mike Chestnut, who appeared visibly upset by
the weekend shooting of CCU student Corey Brooks, asked McCray and the
others what they expect the city to do to make bike rallies more
successful.
"Why should we invest in this event when we don't in any other?"
Chestnut asked. "Let me tell you what's going to happen. The City
Council is going to shut it down. We're not going to have a 20-year-old
shot because someone is too cheap to pay for a $20 parking space."
Police have not confirmed a motive in the shooting. Hakim Harrell, an
event promoter, said he understands the city's concern, but hopes more
organized activities scattered throughout the city would draw people
away from Ocean Boulevard.
"We don't care which rally it is, we'd just as soon stop them," Mayor John
Rhodes told the group.
"We don't need them," Rhodes said. "We can fill all the hotel rooms without
bike weeks."
— The (Myrtle Beach) Sun News
__________________ Buzz Kanter
Editor-in-Chief, American Iron Magazine
we're Not Going To Have A 20-year-old Shot Because Someone Is Too Cheap To Pay For A $20 Parking Space."
A $20 Dollar Parking Space!!!!
I guess I would be shot.
What an arrogant statement. Sounds like they're gouging everyone to put money in the city father's coffers. I would never go anywhere that a parking spot costs $20.
__________________
2006 Low Rider
USMC '71-'77 Semper Fi
NRA Member
I looked into it, three boys were arrested, two have records one is a minor (records sealed) THEY WERE LOCALS. So actually what happened was, there was a shooting at Myrtle Beach, it happened to be during Bike week,
lets ban the bikers. I guess the rest the year Myrtle Beach is crime free.
__________________ "It's easy to fly, just throw yourself at the ground and miss."
Douglas Adams
I dunno.......A-holes are all over the place not just in the bike riding community. If they dont wanna have one then Boo F-in Hoo. Bike Riders have other places that would not mind taking their dough. Last time I was in Myrtle Beach a Bud of mine caught a .22 round from some punk ass kid that thought he was tuff to shoot a Marine on a little relaxation. Too bad the little F-er didnt get off a second before we had him buried face first in the concrete.
He was a local trying to act bad in front of his pack of Girly Men gangsters. You got it. The rest of them ran. Tough Guys.
Of course its my buds fault for wearing his USMC T-Shirt and having a High-N-tight.
Also those who cannot respect other folks persons or property...Stay the F-- home!!!
I can't speak specifically of Myrtle Beach, but I know a group that has gone to Sturgis, Daytona and the ER rallies. They are non-bikers that put on Harley T-shirts and drive to events and raise hell! For that reason I also do not go to the big mega biker events.
I like to ride my bike, not hang around a bunch of wannabes that want to act out the "biker" lifestyle! Granted the vast majority of real bikers act responsibly, but there always a crowd of jerks and I just don't need that.
It don't take much to make me happy...old friends, old bikes and saddlebags full of tools! Damn that Shovelhead...Ha!
I can't speak specifically of Myrtle Beach, but I know a group that has gone to Sturgis, Daytona and the ER rallies. They are non-bikers that put on Harley T-shirts and drive to events and raise hell! For that reason I also do not go to the big mega biker events.
I like to ride my bike, not hang around a bunch of wannabes that want to act out the "biker" lifestyle! Granted the vast majority of real bikers act responsibly, but there always a crowd of jerks and I just don't need that.
It don't take much to make me happy...old friends, old bikes and saddlebags full of tools! Damn that Shovelhead...Ha!
When I was in Sturgis a couple of years ago we stop at MT. Rushmore parked are bikes and lo an behold some chik climed out of a BMW in red leather looking like she just was ridden hard and put away wet and her man was in the traditional black leather biker garb...these characters piss me off.
No More Myrtle Beach Bike Week? 
Linear Mode
