Miami Beach Holds 'Candid' Meeting Ahead Of Urban Weekend

MIAMI BEACH, FL — The city of Miami Beach and the Miami-Dade County chapter of the NAACP are hosting a "candid conversation" with business owners and residents on Wednesday ahead of the upcoming Urban Beach Weekend. Officials want to avoid a repeat of the violent attacks that shook this community last year over the long Memorial Day Weekend during the unsanctioned Urban Beach Weekend event. The public meeting was scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. in The Betsy Hotel at 1433 Collins Avenue.

Some city officials led by former Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Grieco at the time wanted to discourage future Urban Weekend events from being held in Miami Beach.

But the NAACP approached city officials after last year's event insisting that only a small percentage of the estimated 250,000 people who attend the event cause problems. They argued that it would be wrong to treat Urban Beach Weekend differently from any other large gathering in Miami Beach. Most of the participants are African American.

“We can only achieve greatness when we work together,” said Commissioner Ricky Arriola, who is one of the moderators for Wednesday's meeting. “Unity in the Community is a welcoming venue for everyone to share their thoughts on how we can build a better, stronger, and more just tomorrow.”

The event will also be moderated by NAACP Miami-Dade President Ruban Roberts. Panelists include: The Betsy Hotel owner Jonathan Plutzik, Miami Beach Police Spokesperson Ernesto Rodriguez, Professor of African American History Tameeka Hobbs, Headliner Market Group CEO Mike Gardner, GMCVB Vice President of Multicultural Tourism and Development Connie Kinnard and Miami Beach resident Jeff Feldman.

“This is the year of advocacy, the Me Too movement, Black Lives Matter and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas undertaking," said Roberts. "It is important for all communities to find a way to connect with what unites us. This is why, Unity in the Community is so very important. The NAACP and the City of Miami Beach are working together to build bridges and tear down walls.”

Photo by Paul Scicchitano