Now that Spring Break Weekend is in the rearview mirror, promoters of the annual Coast event are speaking out on how the weekend played out for visitors.
“There’s a lot of things that we feel like are targeting this event, and are meant to deter people from attending this event in the future.”
This is how many felt after visiting the coast for the annual Black Spring Break event.
Maurice Bryant and Derrian Burns host their event, Black Beach Weekend, each year. Following a year of controversy surrounding special events, they say this year the group felt unwelcome.
“This weekend we noticed that there were officers in tactical gear, holding AR-15s, on the beach. Do we see that at other events?” said Maurice Bryant, CEO of Black Beach Weekend. “We really don’t.”
This video shows police shutting down beach parking, which forced beach-goers to leave at 4 p.m.
The two also said that they feel police were overly aggressive and prevented individuals from attending events, but WXXV cannot confirm these allegations.
“Those types of things are unethical, and you know, you’re targeting black people,” Bryant continued. “I’m just going to call it out. You’re targeting the black community and black events.”
Mississippi Representative Jeffrey Hulum released a statement saying quote “Every visitor should be treated with respect and given equal opportunity to embrace what the Coast has to offer” before urging the community to work together.
Bryant and Burns say this special event ordinance has only created more division.
“I think one of the biggest problems is, that we don’t have a voice,” said Derrian Burns. “It’s almost like we’re not included, not allowed to have a voice. In my honest opinion, I feel like that’s by design.”
Biloxi Police Department was not able to respond Monday, but WXXV will follow up.