Bikers Against Discrimination - B.A.D. Alert - Beech Bend Bans Patches
On September 21st,2010 Vikki Kirby Dale, a longtime rights activist for the American Biker, heard some very disturbing news: This Weekends National Harley Drags Final and Rally at Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky had decided to ban "colors" from the event. A ludicrous idea when this particular event hosts not only motorcycle drag racing - many of the participants and members of the AMRA - American Motorcycle Racing Association in Kentucky - are patch wearers of some sort and club members and would refuse to relinquish their colors they proudly profile during racing!
Vikki, born to bikers in 1959 and attended her first harley drag race at Beech Bend as a child, would not let this unjustified policy go unchallenged. Especially when it was announced only two days before the major event!
She immediately started contacting various biker clubs and motorcyclists involved with the event to warn them of the new discriminatory policy, then she called the American Motorcycle Racing Association to complain and contacted B.A.D.{Bikers Against Discrimination} to file a report.
B.A.D. Executive Director, Hank McGrath (in NY) and B.A.D. Admin Director, Chuck DeCost (in Virginia) immediately activated an email campaign and on September 23rd,2010 faxed the letter below to Dallas Jones and the Beech Bend staff to put them on notice NOT TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST BIKERS or establish any policy which would treat the American Biker, 1%ER, patch-wearer, club member of any kind...in an unequal fashion to those who are not "bikers" at the event.
As well, B.A.D. made a number of early morning calls (8am) to the operation managers of Beech Bend (as Dallas Jones was unusually unavailable for comment) discussing the seriousness of the matter. From reports we know that at the same time, the AMRA inquired and complained.
BY NOON, SEPTEMBER 23,2010 DALLAS JONES ORDERED ANY AND ALL SIGNS BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES AND TO CEASE THE BAN OF COLORS AND PATCH WEARERS AT THE EVENT!
During the period of the 23rd and 24th, Vikki Kirby Dale did her own investigation to assist B.A.D. and learned that an important vendor and sponsor of the major event at Beech Bend did not want "colors" or patch wearers at the event...the reasons are still being accumulated into fact (we have not mentioned the name of the business yet until investigation is complete). This individual attempted to influence the ban and almost succeeded if it wasn't for Vikki Kirby Dale, the Kentuckyian, bringing the case to the public eye quickly and effectively. She used her experience as a lifelong friend of bikers(they ARE her family!)and with knowledge and wisdom that came from being involved in a number of biker rights organizations throughout the years.
We are proud to say that Vikki Kirby Dale is now the B.A.D. Regional Rep in the Kentucky/Tennessee district. She will be telling her own story of this event on BikerLowDown National Radio Wednesday, September 29th, 2010 at 8pm LIVE on the web.
Meantime...B.A.D. called the Beech Bend operations managers on September 24th, 2010 to insure bikers with colors and patches were being permitted into the facility/grounds and that the policy was rescinded.
Quote from one individual employee: Dallas Jones does not have a discriminatory bone in his body. He believes in these events and in motorcycle racing and has no problems with bikers. He has rescinded the policy!" When asked if the authorities had in some way initiated the ban of colors or attempted to she responded with "I have no comment on that".
This B.A.D. ALERT TELLS EVERYONE TO MONITOR THE HARLEY DRAG RACING EVENT AT BEECH BEND THIS WEEKEND AND REPORT IMMEDIATELY ANYTHING UNUSUAL OR THAT MAY BE A PRODUCT
OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE AMERICAN BIKER!
