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Post by classic53 on Dec 29, 2008 6:53:50 GMT -6
Hey all, First, I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for a Happy New Year!
Okay, business at hand. We as a biker family need to kick this boycott into high gear! And we need to start NOW!
Don't take this the wrong way, but I plan on contacting people at the gay/pride organizations to assist us with the boycott. And the only reason I am doing this is I heard they are planning a gay pride thing somewhere down there. I want to inform them of the discriminatory practices the "city" is doing. Then I will put together a email to send to the golfing industry. Again, I will emphasize the discriminatory practices that the "city" is doing! Hopefully they will realize that they could be next and join us in this boycott.
Next step I plan on doing is contacting local travel agencies and explaining to them about the practices the "city" is conducting. We should all begin this process to really get this ball rolling.
I will first post the emails here for everybody to critique before I send them. I am not the best writer and I am sure there are better people here who can correct my many mistakes that I will most likely make.
To wrap everything up, we must GET the word out to other organizations about this boycott. I know we can do it. Let's really let the "city" know how powerful we can be! "NOT A DIME UNTIL THE END OF TIME"
Ride safe and keep the rubber side down 07 FLHTC rider Keith and Carol in Pa.
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Post by freebird on Dec 31, 2008 10:14:18 GMT -6
I am with you on this one. The internet is a powerfull tool and one that can get the word out to everyone in the USA to Boycott Myrtle Beach and send a message that this type of blatant discrimination will not be tolerated lest it spreads to a town near you. We MUST STAND on this one and STAND TALL.
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Post by squeaky260 on Jan 1, 2009 13:17:36 GMT -6
Awesome post, classic!
Can't wait to see your draft. I'd like to get an idea of the general tone of your letters.
With a critique, someone may bring up an extra point or two we could utilize to enhance our position.
Happy New Year! It's going to be a great one.
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Post by classic53 on Jan 8, 2009 7:50:07 GMT -6
I have a "draft" of the letter to the gay pride organization. Here it is and let me know any screw ups or changes.
Thanks all
To Whom It May Concern: Over the past several decades, Harley Davidson enthusiasts have converged to the Grand Strand area. This gathering, known as the Myrtle Beach spring rally, always occurs around the middle of May. They would renew old acquaintances, meet new friends and in general, mingle and be themselves. Now Myrtle Beach City, which I will refer to as the “city”, is trying to eliminate this gathering of Harley Davidson enthusiasts by enacting ordinances that defy the laws of the state of South Carolina. We as Harley Davidson enthusiasts feel this is very socialistic behavior!
The Myrtle Beach Spring rally has grown over the past years with the increased interest in motorcycle riding. With this increase there are some, shall I say, “bad apples”. Thus the people of the “city” recognized this as a threat to their safety. They have overlooked all the good the various motorcycle organizations have done over the years for their community.
These “bad apples” have caused a small percentage of the population of the “city” to coerce the “city” government into changing and enacting new ordinances. This small percentage of people from the “city”, now along with the government of the “city”, want to end this several decade long gathering of Harley Davidson enthusiasts. We feel this is pure and blatant DISCRIMINATION
We as Harley Davidson enthusiasts are organizing a monetary boycott of the “city”. This boycott consists of not fraternizing any businesses within the “city”. This is our response, along with lawsuits filed in court, to this discriminatory practices being conducted by the “city”.
I am writing this letter to ask your organization to assist us, the Harley Davidson enthusiasts, with this boycott. We are attempting to contact as many organizations who have functions or plan on having functions within the “city” to assist us. We do not want to see what is happening to the Harley Davidson enthusiasts to happen to other organizations. This DISCRIMINATORY practice has to stop! We, as free people of this great nation, have the liberty and power to change these DISCRIMINATORY practices being carried out by the governing body of the “city”.
This boycott, we feel, is the most effective way to perform our task to have the “city” change their DISCRIMINATORY ordinances. This boycott will also inform the government of the “city” that this type of DISCRIMINATION will not be tolerated against any organization in the future!
Respectively, A Harley Davidson enthusiast Pacplscustomsportster@Verizon.net
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Post by freebird on Jan 9, 2009 8:09:13 GMT -6
Keith & Carol Very well thought out and well put. I wouldn't know how to explain our position any better. If these laws were about safety it would be one thing but we all know and the City confirmed in their letter these laws are solely to end the lawfull and peaceful gathering of a selected group of people. To those who do not understand one must simply insert golfers or any other group in the City's letter and it will be clearer. Who will be next on the list? We must all stand together and get this information out to all organizations. I am thinking that we could get Bro to put this up on the site for people to sign as a petition. Thank you so much for your thoughts and your support both for those of us that live here and those who do not.
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Post by Doug on Jan 9, 2009 13:31:49 GMT -6
Classic53: Great idea and great letter, One though, I think many people might believe the name "Myrtle Beach" takes in the entire Grand Strand from N.C. to Georgetown, it might be more clear if people understand that "Myrtle Beach City" is only a part of the Grand Strand, and not to be confused with North Myrtle Beach City, Horry Co. and other communities in the County. And that the boycott is directed at the "City of Myrtle Beach only" I attend the Spring HD rally every year for many years and am 100% on board with the boycott...Looking forward to May 09 Doug
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Post by classic53 on Jan 9, 2009 14:01:03 GMT -6
good idea Doug. I changed the wording to reflect your idea.
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Post by freebird on Jan 9, 2009 20:02:43 GMT -6
Doug Welcome and thank you for your thoughts. You are so right. We should educate that the Grand Strand is 60 miles long and MB is a small blemish. The Grand Strand is a great place to live and ride and I moved here because of that. We are stronger together. Freebird
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Post by Doug on Jan 10, 2009 0:35:58 GMT -6
Thanks Classic53 and Freebird, Just putting in my 3 cents worth (inflation) When I started coming to Myrtle Beach many many years ago, I though for years it was all one big Myrtle Beach, it can be confusing...Doug
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Post by squeaky260 on Jan 11, 2009 19:22:05 GMT -6
Hey Doug! That was an awesome thought. Living here, a lot of us don't think about the tourist's distinction of the Grand Strand. WE know where Myrtle Beach is....
It's great to have input like yours!
Welcome to the board.
Squeaky
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Post by Doug on Jan 12, 2009 17:39:49 GMT -6
The way I see it, "Myrtle Beach City" is going to get just what they want as far as the Spring HD rally goes with all the BOYCOTT info moving through the web....Atlantic Beach has already said they intend to promote ABBW May 09 and from what I have read they intend to be in "MYRTLE BEACH CITY" with an in your face attitude......How about this, besides the NO SPENDING IN MYRTLE BEACH CITY boycott, if the HD rally people made it a point to stay out of MB. City "Completely", THEN there would be very few if any tickets written for the HD group and if that happens it will be very difficult for the police to write a lot of tickets during BLACK BIKE WEEK because we all know the NAACP will be watching and keeping count to make sure ONE group doesn't get more tickets than the OTHER group gets...That could put "Myrtle Beach City" in a very precarious position......
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Post by Doug on Jan 12, 2009 17:48:16 GMT -6
>:(I have read several post saying, only support the business in Myrtle Beach City that support the bikers...I say NO to that, If SOOO many businesses in MBC support the HD Rally, Then why did we not hear their collective voices at all the council meetings stating their positions? I say they were afraid to speak up, If they support the rallies then they might pi$$ off the locals, If they support the locals they they might pi$$ off the bikers. So they got on the fence and hoped for the best....None of them get any of my business, ever period... ;D
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Post by classic53 on Jan 13, 2009 6:44:22 GMT -6
I am going to send an email to the gay pride people and the golf people this week. Does that sound good to everybody? Let me knwo. The sooner the better!
Ride safe and keep the rubber side down around the "city" 07 FLHTC rider Keith and Carol
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Post by HDGoddess on Jan 13, 2009 7:22:18 GMT -6
As a resident of Horry County & biker for over 15 years I cannot in good faith encourage anyone to boycott the city.In case nobody is familiar with the Biker friendly business in MB then here are 2 that have been & will be severly affected by the boycott.B& M Custom Cycles closed in October because of MB.Ben Brown owner was also a member of city council as a member of the CAB committee.Ben also supported the biker community at every chance he got.Anyone remember the Turkey Rally?Which supported the Fired Up Bikers/Burned Out Families Fund.The headquarters was B&M.Ben also gave donations & participated in many runs to help people. Don Emery of Dog House South & the Steel Horse.Don has supported many biker causes over the years.Fundraisers,charities individuals in need.Just in Semtember 08 he hosted a run for a dear friend that passed a couple of days before & then people came together & built a wishing well out front of the Steel Horse in her honor. Everyone look at your friends that own a business ,works in a business or lives in Myrtle Beach zipcode area,these are the people you are boycotting & as someone that lost their job twice last year,1 in the county & 1 in the city due to to the economy. These are the people you are hurting not the city officials. I personally do not plan on being in Myrtle Beach if I don't have to but when I go I plan on letting the non biker business know how I feel. Mayor Rhodes is putting pressure on the citys surrounding MB as well as the county to follow suit.Soon if they get their way nobody will be coming to Horry County. Also I believe gay bikers are planning a parade in MB this July 4th. Maybe the harley riders could ride with them in protest? Thoughts to ponder.
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Post by freebird on Jan 13, 2009 16:32:13 GMT -6
HD Welcome to ibiker and thank you for your post. I understand and support your position. We all have a right to how we feel and what we will support. I was sorry after all the years to see B&M close down. While all know my position both establishments you mention have been on the recommended section of the site for some time for the same reasons you mentioned. For the first time in years I did not go to The Dog House and missed it but I am one who sticks to his guns. Please post as often as you like and share your opinions. We are stronger together.
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