OUTLAW motorcycle club members will hold a massed ride into Sydney's Kings Cross tonight to protest their banning from wearing club regalia at nominated late-night venues. The ban, announced last month by NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell, prohibits members of 23 outlaw clubs from entering 58 licensed premises in Kings Cross wearing club colours.
This includes any article of clothing or jewellery displaying club names, colour schemes, the club patch, insignia and the "1%" or "'1%er" symbol.
A spokesman for the United Motorcycle Council, Wayne Baffsky, said outlaw clubs planned to test the legality of the ban in the coming weeks.
Up to 30 members from at least six different outlaw clubs would make the ride into Kings Cross tonight in full colours to demonstrate their contempt for efforts to ban them from Sydney's sex and sleaze capital.
"They will simply be there to enjoy a meal like other members of the public. They are not looking to cause a disturbance or intimidate anyone by their presence," said Mr Baffsky, who also acts as legal counsel for the Hells Angels in Australia. He said the police were aware of the ride and he expected that the bikies would be met with a strong contingent of police officers.
The UMC is planning a series of protest rides on Kings Cross as bikies step up their fight against new legislation designed to disrupt and dismantle their clubs.
The Australian revealed this week that NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione was fast-tracking an application to have the Hells Angels declared a criminal gxxg under the revamped Crimes (Criminal Organisations Control) Act.
Under the act, members of declared organisations under control orders will be unable to associate with each other in any form or face up to five years' jail. The High Court ruled the legislation invalid last year after an application by former Hells Angel Derek Wainohu.
NSW police are also planning to use the consorting provisions of the Crimes Act to prevent people who have been found guilty of indictable offences from associating with one another.
Police are testing the new consorting provisions in the Newcastle area before expanding their use to Sydney.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/bikies-to-show-their-colours-on-protest-ride/story-e6frg6nf-1226347337904
Bikie behind bars after Robina shooting..
Southport court is locked down for the appearance of Finks bikie member Mark Graham, charged with attempted murder over a shooting at Robina Town Centre which injured two people.
Video: http://media.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/selections/bikie-behind-bars-after-robina-shooting-3269283.html?&exc_from=strap
Video: http://media.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/selections/bikie-behind-bars-after-robina-shooting-3269283.html?&exc_from=strap
