by David "Double D" Devereaux
The truth about outlaw motorcycle clubs.
Not the version you see on TV. It’s not Sons of Absurdity or Gangland.
It’s not rape, pillage, and organized crime. But it’s not the church
choir or the Boy Scouts either. The truth is that self-identified outlaw
motorcycle clubs are rebellious, anti-establishment, and very critical
of law enforcement and government abuses of discretion.
Motorcycle clubs, including outlaw
motorcycle clubs, are also genuinely dedicated to charity and
fundraising for bikers in need. The entire culture is based on the
concepts of loyalty, honor, and respect. But make no mistake. Do not
take kindness for weakness. Verbal disrespect will not get you shot,
stabbed, or killed. That would require a physical threat to person or
loved one and most likely in self defense. However, getting smacked for
running your mouth is not outside the realm of possibility.
Motorcycle club culture has been heavily
influenced by veterans returning from war. World War II veterans first.
Then the explosion of clubs following Vietnam solidified outlaw
motorcycle clubs as part of American culture. Rebellious and looking for
acceptance not given by a post-Vietnam America, veterans formed
motorcycle clubs that created an environment of brotherhood and support
outside of mainstream society. Outlaw motorcycle clubs embraced the
outlaw mythology and the role of anti-establishment rebels.
Equating the term “outlaw” with
“criminal” is purely a law enforcement conception embraced by a
sensationalized media. Reality does not justify the claim. Sure there
are criminals and felons in some outlaw motorcycle clubs. But no more so
than law enforcement or most other large communities.
In fact, more police officers are
charged and convicted of felonies every year than members of outlaw
motorcycle clubs. And members of outlaw motorcycle clubs have been
heavily involved in the grassroots rights movement concerning civil
liberties ranging from helmet choice to profiling.
The courts, at least many outside of
Texas, do not agree with law enforcement. Attempts to equate membership
with criminality or reasonable suspicion of criminality have been
rejected. Motorcycle clubs and their colors, including 1% or outlaw
motorcycle clubs, are forms of expression and association that are
explicitly protected by the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. (see
How Waco Is Being Used To Decimate The 1st Amendment JUNE 26, 2015 )
Many state legislators do not agree with
law enforcement. The movement to end motorcycle profiling has been
gaining momentum and is law in Washington State. Anti-Profiling
legislation unanimously passed the Maryland Senate in 2015. Nearly 20
states have passed laws or judicially determined that motorcycle only
checkpoints amount to illegal campaigns of selective enforcement.
Legislators are beginning to see through the propaganda and place checks
on law enforcement policies driven by discrimination. (see About The Motorcycle Profiling Project)
The reason the courts and many
legislators disagree with law enforcement relates to the idea of freedom
of expression in a free society. Individuals should be judged by their
own actions, not the actions of others merely based on an association
with that person. Individuals should not be targeted merely because of
their appearance or membership in any organization. Remember
McCarthyism? No individual should be the target of law enforcement
actions absent particularized reasonable suspicion or probable cause
based on behavior, not appearance.
And who objects to every single one of
these protections for motorcyclists? The law enforcement lobby does.
Every single time. Law enforcement is programmed to reject every
criticism of law enforcement policy and procedure. Authorities have
fully embraced a skewed narrative defining motorcycle clubs as criminal.
But the legislative and judicial branches have thus far rejected these
broad assessments of an entire class of people.
Outlaw motorcycle clubs are no more
criminals than other historical groups fighting government
discrimination and policies of oppression. Patriots were considered
outlaws. Many civil rights groups in the past were considered outlaws.
Many current civil rights groups are considered outlaws. Peacefully
demonstrating environmentalists are considered outlaws. Many have
described Jesus as an outlaw. Ghandi was an outlaw.
I am NOT saying that bikers rise to the
historical level of importance of any of these examples. I am saying
that the outlaw label has historically been applied to, and embraced by,
many people fighting against discrimination and law enforcement abuse.
Any socially or politically active group
opposed to law enforcement policies becomes a target. Oppositional
groups are labeled criminals in an attempt to discredit and dismantle
them while the general public does nothing. This is their job. The job
of maintaining the status quo and enforcing the policies of government.
Loyalty, honor, respect. A love for
riding motorcycles. A passion for a free society where you are judged by
your actions, not your appearance. The desire to be left alone and not
be harassed. This includes the self-respect to stand your ground and not
allow anyone to abuse or disrespect your person. True, most people in
mainstream society will tolerate more from others. But no one cares more
about the concepts of freedom and honor than an outlaw biker.
That’s the truth about outlaw motorcycle clubs.About the Author
