‘No justice, no peace’: Dozens rally in downtown Myrtle Beach against police brutality
Chants of “Black Lives Matter” and “No justice, no peace” echoed in downtown Myrtle Beach on Sunday morning as dozens protested police brutality.
The Myrtle Beach march followed protests and demonstrations seen in the wake of a video of a black man, George Floyd, dying as a Minneapolis police officer put a knee across his throat during an arrest. At some points in the video, Floyd is heard saying he can’t breathe.
Many of the Myrtle Beach protesters brought signs railing against police brutality or with phrases that have become part of the vernacular in the last few years as claims of police misconduct are pushed into the national spotlight. The Horry County protest started in Plyler Park on Ocean Boulevard and moved to the Myrtle Beach police department on Oak Street.
As the protesters marched on Mr. Joe White Avenue, several stopped and joined in bringing the crowd to about 100 people of different races and ages. A few cars passing by honked in support or slowed down to film the scene. A couple of people yelled “all lives matter” to the group, which was met with yells back in frustration.
At the Myrtle Beach police department, the group chanted “white silence equals violence” and “hands up, don’t shoot.” They also held a moment of silence.
A couple of police officers stood at the front of the police station across the street from the protesters, but it was one of the few times officers were seen during the march. A few Myrtle Beach police officers and Horry County Sheriff’s Office deputies walked near the march to ensure everyone was safe.
Myrtle Beach’s protest saw no violence or vandalism, something that has become commonplace in demonstrations in some cities.
“I feel we did a lot of good today,” said Dymetria Carpenter, one of the Myrtle Beach marchers who sported an “I can’t breathe” T-shirt.
Carpenter said she attended the march to support equal rights. She said she didn’t expect to changes overnight, but was happy that people came out to support the message.
Brenda Rogers, who helped organize the protest, said they wanted to hold a peaceful march because the police violence must end.
“It has to stop,” she said emphatically.
On Sunday afternoon, Myrtle Beach police declared a civil emergency because of threatened violence related to the protest over Floyd’s death.
Julian Betton cancels speech
A man shot nine times by police during an April 2015 raid at his Myrtle Beach home was set to speak as part of Sunday’s rallies, but canceled a speech after meeting with city officials.
Julian Betton met with Mayor Brenda Bethune, police officials and others on Sunday morning to discuss issues related to his shooting and the national discussion on police brutality. Betton’s attorney, Jonny McCoy, said the meeting went well, which is why there was no need for a speech.
He said citizens have the power and that they want to see change with police.
“That power needs to be used for good,” McCoy said.
Betton sued over police actions during the April 2015 raid by the DEU, a multi-jurisdictional task force that investigates drug activity in the Grand Strand.
DEU officers got a warrant to go into Betton’s home after he sold small amounts of marijuana. Officers entered the residence without knocking or announcing their arrival and used a battering ram to knock down the door. Betton was coming out of a different room, and officers shot him.
The defendants initially claimed they knocked and announced their presence, but video footage from security cameras on Betton’s front porch showed that was not the case, according to court paperwork. Betton said the gun was at his side, while officer David Belue contended he pointed the gun at them.
Officers claimed Betton shot at them, but testing showed his gun was never fired.
Betton received more than $11 million from the defendants as a settlement to end the civil suit.
McCoy said the city agreed to issue a public apology to Betton, and Bethune released a statement about an hour later.
“I was blessed to share a few moments with Julian and I listened to his story. That gave me an opportunity to learn about the man he is today and to see the impact that his incident, as well as similar events, have had on him emotionally,” Bethune said.
“Mr. Betton is a member of our community, a strong advocate for change and a person who wants, and deserves, to be heard. Today’s meeting was a demonstration that peaceful diplomacy works.I want to say that Julian has been heard and will be part of our path to a better future.
“I am committed, along with other members of Council and our Police Department, to working with Julian to tell his story so that others can see that together we can create change by being caring and empathetic. I am so proud of the way our community voiced their frustrations this morning during a very peaceful protest. We are a strong and caring community of faith and we will work together to be an example to others.”
McCoy also said the city would look at adding a policy that officers caught lying would be immediately terminated. Myrtle Beach will also consider changing its ordinances so a person charged with possession of marijuana only faces a fine and not arrest, McCoy said. The change will benefit those from other states that come to Myrtle Beach, McCoy said.
“They don’t have to make a decision to leave their medicine at home,” he said.
This story was originally published May 31, 2020 at 1:27 PM.
