MIAMI, FLORIDA: Black Lives Matter leaders reportedly called a proposed Spring break curfew "racist" as Miami officials tackled violence and disorder of the past few days.
Spring breakers in Miami Beach indulged in raucous late-night revelry Tuesday night, March 22, just days before a curfew imposed by city officials that kicks in on Thursday, March 24. Beachgoers with sandy feet were seen partying and napping on Washington Avenue. The evening was rather calm as compared to the violence in the past couple of days that saw five people injured in shootings on Ocean Drive early Sunday. Authorities revealed that nine police officers had been injured since the Spring Break season began at the end of February.
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According to the Daily Mail, city leaders imposed a state of emergency and a midnight curfew through Monday morning in response to the violence. However, some leaders, reportedly including BLM activists, have called the decision an "overreaction" to the mostly black crowds that revel in the area around this time of the year. "The only emergency is that black people are on the beach," Stephen Hunter Johnson, a member of Miami-Dade's Black Advisory Board, told the Miami Herald. "I don't understand how this town has been doing spring break for at least 25 years and can’t figure it out," he added.
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
“We haven’t been able to figure out how to stop spring break from coming. I say that all the time. We don’t want spring break here…It’s very hard to deter idiots and criminals from doing things.” #springbreak @wsvn story:
— Sheldon Fox-7 News (@fox_sheldon) March 22, 2022
Meanwhile, civil rights attorney Melba Pearson said, "Everything I’ve observed has been peaceful, just kids trying to have a good time, that’s all I've been seeing." She said she didn't see the need for a curfew despite reports of violence in the past week. "It’s an absolute overreaction," she told the Miami Herald. "Not to trivialize people being harmed or shot, but you have to have a balanced approach to issues of criminal justice and law enforcement," Pearson added. Democrat State Rep. Michael Grieco also agreed that the curfew was an overreach.
STATE OF EMERGENCY | Crime and chaos in Miami Beach during spring break
"We don't want spring break," said Mayor Dan Gelber. "We just endure it."
The new actions under way to curb the violence:
— Ryan Smith (@RyanReports) March 22, 2022
That said, the curfew came into effect after the city's mayor declared a state of emergency, thereby enabling South Beach city manager Alina Hudak to impose a 12 am to 6 am curfew from Thursday through Sunday, with the possibility of more restrictions next weekend. It's worth noting that city residents voted in favor of rolling back the last call from 5 am to 2 am in order to prevent rowdiness at the beach, WSVN reported.
However, Miami-Dade Judge Beatrice Butchko has struck down a temporary ban twice after the Clevelander Hotel took the city to court. "The state of emergency is an abuse of governmental power, and it scares the crap out of me," Rep. Grieco alleged. "It can be interpreted as a way to do an end-around on the recent order by Judge Butchko."
Some online also branded the beach curfew as "racist". "Been told y’all Miami Beach racist as hell," one tweeted.
"Florida, your ignorance is showing. This racism must stop ALL across America. A divided America is what Putin wants and Trump, Republicans, and MAGA gave it to him. Thanks, racist," another wrote.
"Ahahaha. The America I know, the America we grew up to know: Racist and hateful," someone else added.
Florida, your ignorance is showing. This racism must stop ALL across America. A divided America is what Putin wants and Trump , Republicans and MAGA gave it to him. Thanks racist ( I ) 🤡
— “J” the lyrical Veteran (@Alvinthe1st) March 23, 2022
However, many are hoping for an early end to the party season. Mayor Dan Gelber said on Monday, "Over the last two nights, five innocent people were shot in our streets." Speaking of Spring Break crowds, he said, "We don't ask for it, promote it, or encourage it. We just endure it."
