Jacksonville Beach is denying HBCU Seashore Event permission of the day.
Only one week of the third day of HBCU Beach, scheduled for April 12, the organizers received a letter of cessation and withdrawal of city officials who said that the application application was denied for being sent less than 90 days in advance. First News of the Coast reported.
“It’s historic for the black community,” the organizer of Hbcu Beach beach told The Outlet. “Only to gather everyone and just to show everyone that we can meet and have a good time and we can do everything right without having any problems.”
Jackson and another organizer, Jarrod Gunn, told First Coast News that they filed for permission in March and thought they had received initial approval.
“We were not told that we cannot even have the event,” said Jackson. “From email, we thought everything was a step.”
Jackson and Gunn mentioned that they received the letter of cessation and withdrawal at the end of March, who warned of consequences if they continue with the event despite having no permission.
“There are rules, state statutes, there are city ordinances, all of which are in place to protect everyone from the people who visit here,” SGT, Jacksonville Beach Police Department. Said Tonya Tator.
But Jackson and Gunn counteracted that it is too late to cancel -and expect to reach an agreement with the city.
“People already reserved hotel rooms, Airbnbs, had rental cars and all kinds of things,” Jackson shared.
First Coast News reported to submit a public record request on all event correspondence. On Thursday, Jacksonville Beach City Manager, Mike Staffopoulos, published the following statement at the departure:
“The city of Jacksonville Beach received an investigation from Mr. Tyree Jackson to produce a special event at Jacksonville Beach.
The application requires a signature along with the recognition recognized has received and read the special event policy.
Jackson completed the application and sent it by email on March 10, 2025, requesting an event date on April 12, 2025.
The permit was denied because it was not appropriate according to the requirements of the special event policy.
In order to succeed, save events, it is imperative that the special event policy is strictly and constantly applying with all applicants. “
