‘Stay on guard’: Myrtle Beach preparing for another protest over George Floyd’s death
Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune said the city is being proactive as law enforcement officials anticipate another demonstration being held to protest police brutality following the death of George Floyd.
Bethune said the city has received word there will be another protest held next Sunday. She added that police are currently in communication with the organizers to ensure the situation is handled peacefully, respectfully and safely, similar to Sunday’s gathering. Police are also monitoring other various situations, Bethune said.
“I think protests are better held when police work with them instead of against,” Bethune said. “With everything going on nationwide, we plan to stay on guard and be prepared.”
Hundreds gathered on Sunday for about nine hours to protest police brutality after a video went viral of a black man, George Floyd, dying as a white Minneapolis police officer put his knee across Floyd’s throat for several minutes during an arrest. During the video, Floyd is heard saying he can’t breathe.
In Myrtle Beach, one protest started at 10 a.m. in Plyler Park on Ocean Boulevard and moved to the police department on Oak Street. While that lasted about an hour, with some remaining to demonstrate and march along Mr. Joe White Avenue, another group gathered near the police station in the afternoon, resulting in attendees blocking the vehicle entrance to the department and the roadway.
While more tense than the morning protest, police — some SWAT and others in riot gear — forced protesters to move after several warnings. Several people were taken into custody in the process and charged with disorderly conduct.
With demonstrations happening nationwide, with some turning violent and destructive, police declared a civil emergency due to threatened violence related to the protest over Floyd’s death. Bethune said intel suggested groups causing destruction in other cities would be traveling to Myrtle Beach.
Along with the civil emergency, there was a heavy police presence, with assistance from outside agencies. There was also a citywide curfew put in place from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. that required residents and visitors to remain inside their homes or hotels.
More than a dozen arrests were made to those who failed to comply.
Additionally, city businesses were strongly encouraged to close, with almost all shuttering along Ocean Boulevard. Few businesses boarded up its windows and doors in the event the protests took a violent turn.
In the event of another protest happening next week, Bethune said the city will enforce similar measures to ensure the safety of residents, tourists and businesses. She noted the decisions officials made Sunday were effective in curtailing any violence or problems other major cities have experienced in recent days.
“I felt anxious because we can never really plan for what is going to happen but I knew we were well prepared and I think it made a huge difference,” Bethune said. “Thankfully, it didn’t go in a different direction. For the most part, it was a very peaceful protest.”
