OFF THE WIRE
Many in the mainstream media have missed the historic significance of who was standing together during the National Council of Clubs Press Conference held in Austin at Shamrock Cycles on May 17, 2016. The press event announced a National Protest Against Motorcycle Profiling and Discrimination. The story took a backseat to regurgitated sensationalism focused on Waco.
Members of clubs that some media and law enforcement have vilified were standing in unity behind the common ground issue of motorcycle profiling and discrimination. There were clubs from around the country in attendance, including representatives from the Outlaws MC, the Mongols MC, the Vagos MC, the Hells Angels MC, the Sons of Silence MC, the Devils Diciples MC, the Hessians MC, the Valiants MC, the Infidels MC, the Outsiders MC, and many clubs from Texas ranging from Christian Clubs to Veterans MC’s.
To be clear, this does not represent any kind of peace treaty or end to historical rivalries among motorcycle clubs. What the NCOC does represent is a decision by participants to stand together and project a unified voice on common ground issues that impact all motorcycle clubs and their members. Issues like the 1st Amendment, discrimination and profiling.
I suppose peaceful political protest is just not interesting enough to most mainstream media outlets, particularly events that disprove and dismantle their choice to perpetuate irresponsible sensationalism relating to motorcycle clubs.
