This lawsuit, filed by the NAACP, its Myrtle Beach branch, and several individuals in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, alleges that the City of Myrtle Beach and its police department discriminate against Black Bike Week participants, who are largely African American.
Plaintiffs challenge the City's decision to restrict the main thoroughfare, Ocean Boulevard, to a single lane of southbound traffic during Black Bike Week, which occurs over Memorial Day Weekend. At night, the City forces all vehicles entering Ocean Boulevard to travel a crowded 23-mile loop that has just one exit. The loop can delay motorists as much as six hours. The Complaint also challenges the City's decision to bring in as many as 800 law enforcement officers to patrol the City during Black Bike Week. The City does not implement any of these restrictions during any other busy summer weekend.
On August 4, 2020, U.S. District Judge Sherri A. Lydon denied the City’s summary judgment motion with respect to plaintiffs’ claims under the Equal Protection Clause and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, holding there was sufficient evidence upon which a jury could determine that plaintiffs were treated differently on the basis of race.
The Relman Colfax litigation team is assisted by counsel at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the NAACP Office of the General Counsel, and the Law Office of Peter Wilborn.
Case Caption
NAACP v. City of Myrtle Beach, No. 4:18-cv-00554-MGL (D.S.C.)