Businesses say Panama City Beach violated their civil rights

Author: the associated press
Published:
MGN

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) – Several Panama City Beach businesses say local officials violated their civil rights and exhibited racial bias when they approved a series of new ordinances designed to curb spring break mayhem.

The businesses filed a federal lawsuit Friday against the city of Panama City Beach.

The owners of several large beach clubs and eight other plaintiffs, described in the lawsuit club patrons of various races, allege city officials deprived business owners of their property rights and unfairly targeted events frequented by black spring breakers.

A series of incidents including an alleged gang rape and a shooting at a spring break house party this year prompted the new regulations.

City officials and an attorney for the business owners did not immediately return phone messages left by The Associated Press.

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