MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – The City of Myrtle Beach and the Myrtle Beach chapter of the NAACP have issued a joint statement after “inappropriate” comments at a press conference.
“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 statement said in part. “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,” the statement also said. “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.”
“We do not endorse that person’s comments or way of thinking,” Mickey James, president of the area NAACP chapter, said in the statement. “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.”
“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,” Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune said in the statement. “Such talk of violence has no place in the conversation. We are pleased to join with the NAACP in dismissing that way of thinking.”
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