CA - Motorcycle club sues Rio Vista in discrimination lawsuit

OFF THE WIRE
RIO VISTA, CA - A motorcycle club said it was just doing things by the book when it filed a permit to hold a BBQ fundraiser at a local park in Rio Vista, but the city and the police chief turned that simple request down.
Now, the motorcycle club is filing suit, claiming it was discriminated against.
"No one other than us has ever tried to put in a permit," Saxon Creed President Rob Anderson said. "We thought we were doing the right thing."
The Saxon Creed is a local motorcycle group that was started two years ago.
Last July, it wanted to hold its fundraising pig roast at Blackwelder Park, the same park where dozens of other community events have been held. So, the group filed for a permit with the city.
But, the request was declined by the police chief and the city.
Members of Saxon Creed feel like the request was denied because they are bikers. The group filed a discrimination lawsuit last Tuesday, claiming its civil rights were violated. They're suing for $250,000 in damages on behalf of their 15 members.
"It makes me very angry," Anderson said. "This is America. We all have rights. I don't like seeing anyone's rights stumbled on."
The group held their pig roast this year without problems at a Veteran's Hall, right next door to the park they applied to last year.
News10 contacted the Rio Vista police chief and the city attorney for comment, but did not return calls. The Rio Vista City Manager said he could not comment on the matter.
Rio Vista City Council will be discussing the issue during closed session on July 16.
News10/KXTV