Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / May 20, 2004, edition 1 / Page 6
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rm i 6A NEWS/(E(c C^rlottt Thursday, May 20, 2004 Bikers who frequent the 704 Grille and Cycle in Charlotte will bypass Black Bike Week in Myrtle Beach. “We’re boy- cot 11 n g , ” Bingo Baker said of black bikers’ run-ins with S.C. offi cials. “The police have run us off.” Cljarlotte PHOTO/WADE NASH Bikers consider options to South Carolina rally Continued from page 1A “I feel more welcomed in Miami,” she said. Kruea admits that the city calls in addition al help for traffic from state and other munic ipalities. He said Black Biker Week has twice as many people as the Harley-Davidson Rally. “There is an average of 200,000 people at the Harley Davidson show and it is spread over 40 miles. About 400,000 people come for the Memorial Rally and it concentrated in 60 blocks,” Kruea said. Myrtle Beach officials said they expect over 300,000 people to show up this year. T.C. Morrow said he doesn’t like the increased police presence, but that isn’t going to stop him from going to Myrtle Beach, He said he simply doesn’t want to drive aU the way to Miami. “I like being closer to home,” he said. LaShun Watkins of Sumter, S.C., plans to attend the bike rally in Myrtle Beach. He said he hasn’t been since 2001 and is looking for ward to meeting new people at the event. “The last time 1 was down there, 1 didn’t have any problems,” he said. But Bingo Baker said 52 bikers from 704 Grille and Cycle in Charlotte won’t be going to Myrtle Beach. “We’re boycotting. The police have run us off,” he said. Miami’s Urban Beach Week has become competition for Myrtle Beach. This is Miami’s fifth year hosting the festival. According to Blackbikeweek.com, attendees at the Miami rally must be at least 23 years old. There are no age restrictions for the Atlantic Beach rally. And, Morrow said, there are some young people who come to Myrtle Beach to cause problems. “It’s starting to turn into a car show,” he said. Myrtle Beach Police Lt. Chuck Dunn said because of the sheer voliune of traffic, there are more citations issued. But he says that he hasn’t heard any complaints about police abuse or harassment. “The events are growing over the years,” he said, adding that people wouldn’t come back to the beach if they were being mistreated. That’s why Baker says he is going to Miami. “Why would you close a gas station because black people are there?” he asked. Kruea said some businesses did close dur ing the Black Bike Week because owners did n’t think it was profitable to have employees wade through traffic to and from work. “A couple of years ago,” Kruea said, “it took six hours to go eight miles. The congestion was unbelievable.” Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach’s main strip and the place where most of the bikers and cars cruise, is blocked so that it runs one way during the rally. This was done to cut down on traffic congestion, Kruea said. “Now, it takes about an hour and a half to go eight miles. That’s not good, but it’s better than six hours,” he said. Honda marks 1923 riot K Consistency is doing business the same way for more than a century. Rrct Citizens Bank Do something amazing. firstcitizens.com 1-888-FC DIRECT Member FDIC Continued from page 3A With a broad and continu ous smile at the ceremony last week, Lawson said, “This is the first time I’ve actually visited the city of Rosewood. I feel an extreme sense of electricity. While nothing we could do can stop the pain of the Rosewood massacre, it makes me feel extremely good for the state of Florida to apologize to the survivors and the descen dants of the victims.” Bush echoed Lawson’s sen timents and characterized the massacre as “one of the darkest moments in our past.” He also said Lawson grossly understated the troubles and level of threats he received for trying to get the bill passed. Bush added, “We must own up to the tragedy of Rosewood. We can be proud of the fact that change came in a single life time.” Robie Mortin, a survivor of the massacre, was present and was embraced by the crowd of hundreds. She unveiled the historic marker in a shower of tears. As Lawson watched her pull the cover from the marker, he said, “This is by far the most significant legislation I have ever been a part of in my 22 years of service.” Dean Rivers presided over the event held at the com munity’s recreation center. Attendees included FAMU President Fred Gainous, Bethune-Cookman College President Oswald P. Brunson, Rep. Ed Jennings, D-Gainesville, Rosewood Scholarship recipient Edricka Hawkins, Rosewood descendant Lizzie Jenkins, the FAMU Gospel Choir and Arnett Doctor Sr. WeioHfS. RjeauY. owe FRee ©f FiTNess ar pismet oVeKFlSWiMS iVilH FUN aN*» FiTNCSS For more information, stop in or call for details: 704.432.4RAY (4729). Near 1-77 and 5th on N. Sycamore St. • rayssplashplanet.com • Offer ends 9/30/04
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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May 20, 2004, edition 1
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