Last Saturday's targeting of the Vikings Motorcycle Club's charity ride (The
Courier, Monday, February 18) as part of the Baillieu government's crackdown on
"outlaw motorcycle club" raises some concerns.
How and when did the Vikings Motorcycle Club become outlawed? As far as I am aware, the Vikings are a properly constituted club whose members hold down jobs and pay taxes.
If any motorcycle club, or any organisation for that matter, is engaged in criminal activities then the police should charge and prosecute them.
Being a member of a group engaged in a common interest in motorcycles and wearing club colours is not, of itself, cause for extraordinary police interest.
Many people find bikies (particularly en masse) intimidating but, if they are conforming with the laws of the state, they have as much right to use the roads as any group or individual.
Kicking the law and order can is a popular tactic used by governments to divert attention from their failings.
Branding some groups as outlaws is a highly emotive and devisive strategy by a government willing to use fear to bolster its political fortunes.
http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/1324159/bikies-can-be-lawful-citizens-too/?cs=64
How and when did the Vikings Motorcycle Club become outlawed? As far as I am aware, the Vikings are a properly constituted club whose members hold down jobs and pay taxes.
If any motorcycle club, or any organisation for that matter, is engaged in criminal activities then the police should charge and prosecute them.
Being a member of a group engaged in a common interest in motorcycles and wearing club colours is not, of itself, cause for extraordinary police interest.
Many people find bikies (particularly en masse) intimidating but, if they are conforming with the laws of the state, they have as much right to use the roads as any group or individual.
Kicking the law and order can is a popular tactic used by governments to divert attention from their failings.
Branding some groups as outlaws is a highly emotive and devisive strategy by a government willing to use fear to bolster its political fortunes.
http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/1324159/bikies-can-be-lawful-citizens-too/?cs=64