Your Views - SkateNC Skate Day - March 9th, 2003 The News & Obsever did a story on the event called Skaters jump into trouble. The next day there was an article on how the city discussed location and costs for a skateboard park. Panel debates park funding "True, the skate day didnt go as planned I suppose. My name is Barry Deredita from Fayetteville and I was there at the event and I have something to say. I think it was wrong for NC's finest to ruin a fine skate day. The minute the rain gives up and the sun comes out to let us do what we love to do the cops had to shut us down. There could have been a robbery going on but they were more worried about trying to stop kids from skating. What do they want from us? Would they rather have us skateboard or kill someone? You make the choice. I'm picking skateboarding because it's what I live, sleep, dream and eat. I hope you understand what I am trying to say. I thank you for doing this and I hope you do it again" - Barry Deredita 20 Fayetteville, NC "First off, there was a hell of alot of people, but the cops were all over it. I was watching from afar, while a officer took down my name, and saw it all go down. People were skating Fayetteville street mall and the cops surrounded the place. All exits were blocked, and a few lucky people got away. We saw people getting ticketed, getting taken to the station, boards taken away, and running like hell. After talking with the cop, we walked around and saw everyone else who had scattered, you coudlnt walk one block without seeing ten skaters. It was crazy. It was fun going to state and running into more skaters, then going to northridge for a session. I had fun, regardless of cops, we should do it again. Except this time make it a little more secret" - Chad Back to Skate Day index