OFF THE WIRE
Eric Bro Motorcycle Clubs ARE Not Street
Gangs.
I wanted to post this to show the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration's unwarranted bias derived from unproven with no
real base propaganda targeted to demonize , spread lies , exaggerations,
and propaganda against 1 % Motorcycle Clubs. Such is the case with the
propaganda spread by the Department of Justice . It seems their
propaganda is being believed by the N.H.T.S.A to the point the
N.H.T.S.A. is testifying that 1 percent motorcycle "clubs" do not
warrant their safety concern as other motorcycle enthusiasts. This is
just wrong and bad. The mission statement of the National Highway
Traffic Administration is to fund safety programs and education for the
motorcycle enthusiast. Their Mission Statement does not call on them to
propagate rumors and diminuendos. They are given millions a year by
Congress to fund safety organizations like the Ca. Office of Traffic
Safety and the C.H.P. safety programs as well they help the M.S.F. I
believe with grant money for their safety brochures. It is hard for me
to believe after reading this segment of a long article written by the
N.H.T.S.A. that their Rider Conspicuity program is for the safe benefit
of what they deem motorcycle gangs. I am starting to think their is a
dark side to Rider Conspicuity; the eradication of the motorcycle club
patch. Be diligent on rider conspicuity. It is quiet now after the rally
but rider conspicuity will start to be moved again.
Introduction Biker Gangs.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 7.1
million motorcycles were registered in the United States as of 2008 (NHTSA, 2008). The vast
majority of motorcycle riders are law-abiding citizens who enjoy motorcycles as a hobby or form
of transportation. Some enthusiasts even belong to clubs or groups devoted to motorcyclists; for
example, an estimated 230,000 riders belong to the American Motorcyclist Association, one of
the largest motorcycle clubs in the United States (AMA, 2011). However, a small proportion of
motorcycle clubs function as gangs that embrace anti-social attitudes and engage in a variety of
deviant behavior and criminal activities, rejecting the values of conventional organizations such
as the AMA. Individual members of such clubs proudly call themselves “One Percenters,” a
nickname that originated from a comment made by the American Motorcycle Association that 99
percent of bikers follow the law (Glod, 2010). Formally, large groups or clubs of outlaw
motorcyclists are classified by law enforcement as Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, or OMGs,1
defined by the United States Department of Justice as “organizations whose members use their
motorcycle clubs as conduits for criminal enterprises” (USDOJ, 2011, para. 1).
If you belong to a motorcycle club especially a 1% club you are a
subculture with in a culture of individual citizens. When you are
profiled because you have a patch indentifying you as a member in a sub
culture it is wrong. The motorcycle club member is the only subculture
that is not directly protected in California law. Our rights as
individuals are protected under the California Constitution under
Article1 but our subculture is not.
Bobbie T. has a profiling bill already
drafted and in Sacramento waiting for a State Senator or Assembly
member to carry it into State Law. Support our profiling bill by
contacting Robert Tobaldo ask him for the language and then help fnd a
sponsor.
It is my hope that one day a club member can enjoy his of
her lifestyle free from unwarranted persecution. Your Brother in the
Good Fight.
Eric/BRO
sub·cul·ture (sbklchr)
n.
1. A cultural subgroup differentiated by status, ethnic background,
residence, religion, or other factors that functionally unify the group
and act collectively on each member.
2. One culture of microorganisms derived from another.
Chris Thompson Good stuff in the works man. This country is all about
the pursuit of happiness. Each of us have our own thing that makes us
happy, and who is the government to try and take that away from our
pursuit to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
