Joint statement from the Myrtle Beach NAACP and the City of Myrtle Beach

No place for violence; comments not reflective of the NAACP’s or the City’s position

 The Myrtle Beach chapter of the NAACP and the City of Myrtle Beach jointly issued the following statement in response to inappropriate comments from one of the people who attended today’s NAACP news conference on the steps of City Hall….  

 The NAACP and the City of Myrtle Beach may have their differences, but both are in agreement that there’s no place for violence during this weekend.  The comments about violence that were attributed to an attendee of the Atlantic Beach Bikefest and reported in the media are viewed as inappropriate and unwelcome by both organizations. 

 “We do not endorse that person’s comments or way of thinking,” said Mickey James, president of the local NAACP chapter.  “The remarks by that one individual do not reflect the position of the NAACP and should not characterized as a statement or comment by the NAACP.”

 Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune added, “We have worked extremely hard to make this weekend safe for all participants, whether they live here or are visiting for the Atlantic Beach Bikefest or any other reason.  Such talk of violence has no place in the conversation.  We are pleased to join with the NAACP in dismissing that way of thinking.”

Historically, the NAACP is known for its peaceful approach to conflict resolution.  Today’s remarks are not reflective of the organization’s or the city’s belief or position, especially in relation to the event known as the Atlantic Beach Bikefest.