Hells Angels ride through Midlands: Are they here to stay?

OFF THE WIRE
MCs in the News
COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - A notorious motorcycle group rolled into the Midlands Saturday. A Lexington bar owner organized a poker run for the Hells Angels and said there was no need for community members to be concerned.

"There's always going to be someone who likes it and someone that don't like it and that's anything in life," said Joe Biedrycki, who invited our cameras to the poker run.

With the rev of their engines, the Hells Angels rolled into Lexington Saturday for a poker run. The ride funds the Hells Angels' Sin City Defense Fund, a fund to cover attorney fees and court costs after Las Vegas police raided six Angels' houses last fall.

"They're not looked at for the good things they've done, they're looked at for the bad things that's happened in the past," said organizer Lisa Meyers, who is friends with the Hells Angels.

She spoke for the Angels Saturday because none of them wanted to go on camera. Also not appearing on camera was Lexington Police Chief Terrance Green, but Green did say Lexington would be protected from what he calls a biker gang.

"I don't see it as gang activity," said Jerry Oliver with the American Legion Riders.

Oliver was just one of many other motorcycle groups, including veterans and a Christian group, taking part in the poker run.

"We don't want to start any trouble with anybody, we're just here to join together and help each other out," said a biker and bar owner who went by the name "Animal."

Police were out in full force, taking pictures of the activity all day. Some curious community members came out as well, and had mixed feelings.

"You hear things about the Hells Angels, I don't know if they're true or not, but you see documentaries on TV and you think they're killers and their initiation is horrible," said a woman named Rhonda.

Sharon Ledford was in Columbia for her daughter's cheerleading tournament, and said authorities should have warned parents.

"If you don't have that knowledge and you are unaware, how are you to protect yourself and your children?" she asked.

Another thing is unclear, whether the Hell's Angels are here to stay. We were told there is now a Hells Angels Chapter in Lexington now, but Myers said she was "not allowed to say" if that is true or not.

The poker run started in Lexington, went through Columbia and West Columbia, and will end in Lexington on Saturday evening.

What do you think about the motorcycle group being in town? Let us know in the comments section below.

Original article...

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12096405