From: Dale Hood, Boanerges M/C
RE: Club Tropic
Date: 21 March 1999
200 Carolina Beach Ave N.
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Bobby Russo: Owner
Several members of the Boanerges M/C and friends entered Club Tropic and proceeded past the doorman/security station into the lounge. No one was stopped at the door and the doorman spoke pleasantly to several members. Once in the bar, one member and several of the friends went to the bar and bought drinks. Some of the members went to watch the band, play a game of foosball, and check out the bar.
Five or ten minutes after we entered the lounge a man (who later turned out to be the owner) came through the bar and told one of our members that we had to get out of his bar. The man then proceeded to go outside and get police officers from the corner to come inside and told them that we had to leave.
One of our members handed the owner a document prepared by our AIM attorney indicating he was discriminating against us. The owner refused to accept the paper or listen to anything the member had to say.
The member was then approached by Sergeant Wade Morton of the Carolina Beach Police Department, and they spoke briefly about the situation. The member explained to the officer that we had been allowed into the bar, and that we were enjoying ourselves when the owner came out raising hell. He then explained that we would leave, but that he would like the officer to read the paper on discrimination. The officer took the paper from the member and handed it to the owner
With no further provocation, the officer then informed our member that he had thirty seconds to gather everyone and leave. Before anyone had time to leave, three officers grabbed one of our members and began to arrest him. Within moments they grabbed another member and arrested him. Both of the arrests were for trespassing.
From: Jim Tumblin, Lexington, NC
RE: Shipwreck Lodge
Date: 06 May 2000
412 Carolina Beach Avenue N.
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
R. Gwyn & Royestine Wyatt: Owners
I'm not sure who to address this note to, but I feel the need to write it. I find it hard to think of myself as an undesirable, different maybe... but not undesirable. I'm a veteran, white male, have had the same job for fifteen years, am debt free, and donate my time and money to many charitable causes. I have always paid my own way never expecting or accepting charity of others when I was able to take care of myself.
I made reservations at the Shipwreck Lodge in Carolina Beach, North Carolina. The owner was quite thrilled to accept my $100 (+) per night for a room. Ms Wyatt was quite adamant that there was a no refund policy due to time restraints and I gladly accepted her terms. She was quite friendly while we were checking in until I asked her where I should park my bike.
At that point, she quit smiling. She promptly refunded my money and told me, "We do not tolerate your kind at this motel!" When I asked what she meant, she stated she did not want any trouble and told me to leave.
I have been quite succesful in my life, and being a white male have not had to tolerate bigotry until now. I will never return to Carolina Beach, and in my many travels I will tell of the treatment I received just because I ride a motorcycle.
P.S. As we rode out of the parking area, I noticed that my Road King was the cleanest and probably the most expensive vehicle in the lot.