Black leaders address allegations of Beach police racism

 VIRGINIA BEACH

Several activists gathered on the steps of Virginia Beach City Hall on Monday to decry alleged racism by Beach police.

Owners of the Hammerheads bar on Atlantic Avenue allege in a federal civil rights lawsuit that the city is discriminating against the bar and its largely minority clientele. The city is seeking a dismissal of the suit, which is scheduled to go to trial on Thursday.

In a deposition that's part of the suit, a Virginia Beach police officer said he and other officers used racial slurs on the job, specifically while patrolling the Oceanfront's bar district.

James Bailey, an incoming president for the Virginia Beach NAACP, said the episode demonstrates the need for his organization.

"We're never going to get Virginia Beach where it needs to be if we allow these comments," Bailey said.

Peggy Britt, a Norfolk educator, said after the rally that she believes the problem is worse than represented.

"I believe that, for every one person willing to admit it, there are 10 behind him who also follow suit with their practices," she said.

Tom Palumbo, a member of the Hampton Roads Peace and Justice Coalition - which called the press conference - said there will be a larger rally within the next week "to address what seems to be

institutional racism." Nine people attended Monday's event.

Palumbo said his group has organized several rallies and protests over the past several years, and is a member of the Virginia Anti-War Network.

John Warren, (757) 222-5114, john.warren@pilotonline.com