Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small went into a meeting Wednesday hoping to stop a local activist from shutting down the city this weekend.
He left it determined to oust Steve Young from his appointed positions on two city boards.
“We’re not going to tolerate someone trying to hijack our city when it’s really about him,” Small said during a brief Facebook Live update.
Young has vowed to shut down the city with a protest on the Fourth of July that he said is sparked systemic racism that he said the killing of George Floyd highlighted.
But “this isn’t about George Floyd,” Small said. “This isn’t about black issues in the city. This is about Steve Young.”
Small said he used his position and connections to bring together several city stakeholders to meet with Young in hopes of finding common ground.
Instead, Small said, once people like head of the CRDA and AtlantiCare representatives were in the room, Young told the mayor he could leave.
“We thought that he would have been satisfied that he was finally at the table,” Small said.
When the mayor refused to leave, Young allegedly said, “Well, this meeting is over.”
“Well, you do what you have to do,” the mayor replied.
Now, Small says he will do what he has to do.
"I’m not going to be intimidated or held hostage by anyone," Small said.
He added, “We are ready for Saturday,” regardless of what comes.
That could include a protest blocking the entrances into the city.
A caller to Harry Hurley's radio show this week claimed there was also the possibility of 300 Pagan’s Motorcycle Club members coming to counter the rally.
After that garnered attention, Hurley said he received from another man claiming to be a Pagan, saying that "the individual interviewed recently by Mr Hurley was NOT a member of the Pagans Motor Cycle Club. We have NO intention of participating in any protest related activity of any sort."
Regardless, Small said the city will be ready.
“All law enforcement from federal government on down is in town right now,” Small said.
Small also is moving to have Young removed from the Planning Board and the Atlantic City Police Department’s Citizens Advisory Board.
Both appointments were made under the previous administration.
When asked about the mayor's words, Young sent BreakingAC a teaser for a protest update that will be on WeHaveGospel.com from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday on "Say It Loud I'm Black and I'm Proud" with Brother Steven L. Young.
Young first talked about shutting down the city May 31, as he led an hours-long peaceful protest sparked by the killing of George Floyd.
But that was followed by looting and riots.
“It wasn’t a good look on our city,” Small said.
While Young ended the protest before the violence and destruction began, some pointed to a statement he made as the protest against police brutality sparked by the killing of George Floyd.
“We’re gonna do some window shopping today,” Young told the crowd before leading the procession down past Tanger Outlets at the Walk. “Window shopping is when you look in the window and see what you like and you come back another day to get it. You come back another day to get it.”
He then added: “Understand that. We’re not saying nothing about violence, we’re not staying destroy anything. We’re just gonna do some window shopping today.”
Young's plans got major attention when he addressed shutting the city down on Hurley last week.
“Don’t you think that’s about the dumbest damn thing that you’re saying right now?” Hurley asked Young, pointing out that it would be happening just as the city is opening back up.
“And you’re proud that you’re going to shut Atlantic City down on July Fourth?” he continued. “Are you insane?”
“I’ve got a lot of sense,” Young interjected.
Young later sat down with Hank Green and Kevin Hall for their show.
At that point, Young said that his issue included health concerns for the people of Atlantic City.
He said that a sit down was necessary and should include AtlantiCare.
“With (visitors) to come into our city with a disease they may have,” he said. “It’s profit versus humanity.”
“We’re all for peaceful protest,” Small said earlier this week. “I wouldn’t deny anyone the right to peaceful protest.”
It’s the timing, he said.
Small said he already had people reaching out saying they wouldn’t come to the city with the threat of the shutdown.
“I’m responsible for the health, welfare and safety for all the people in Atlantic City,” he said. “It’s too important to stop the flow of business.”
