In the US, as here in Canada, there are events that discriminate against our community by posting signs saying motorcycle colours are not allowed. Some of those signs, here in Canada, anyway say things like "No Illegal Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Club Colours", some just say "NO colours."
Here in Canada, those signs are generally forced on event coordinators by the police services and the liquor boards - the threat is - allow the "Bad Guys" in wearing their colours and we will shut down your event.
In Shreveport Louisiana, bikers stood up to their state fair board. A campaign on Facebook triggered a ton of calls to the fair board and the next thing you know, the discriminatory signs came down.
This all transpired in the space of one day.
The article in the Examiner goes on to state that bikers in Louisiana still have to fight against the discriminatory practices of the Louisiana Boardwalk that does not allow biker gear to be worn on the boardwalk and that bikers need to continue wearing their colours, patches and gear proudly, continue to do the good works they do and work at changing the fear that the general public has about our community.
Here in Canada, I have been calling for bikers to unite under that same message for a long time. We need a national organization to protect us, we need to be protected under the charter as far too many people in this country are discriminated against and profiled by police services who use the Liquor Boards and event licenses like the proverbial carrot stick to prevent what they call the show of force by "Illegal Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs".
The sad fact of the matter is that the police services will not provide event coordinators with the images of the patches and colours that the police services deem as illegal and in order to protect themselves and be allowed to host events and have a liquor license, many events simply say NO CLUB COLOURS.
It is also sad but true that internal politics in our community prevent us from uniting for protection.
You have groups, associations and clubs that "dislike and resent each other", that will not work with each other for the common good because they can't see beyond their own narrow views or their own fears and others that simply will not support anything if "THOSE GUYS" are present - meaning 1%er's.
The bottom line is that the discrimination started with "Those Guys" and has now swept through our community like a cancer and fear of reprisal keeps bikers from working with each other on the things that matter most.
You have others who never attend events and since they don't , they refuse to get involved because they feel it doesn't affect them. That kind of apathy affects our community just as bad if not worse than the internal squabbles and the internal discrimination.
In Saskatchewan, friends and family are going to be laying Mark Popowich to rest, mark died of a heart attack while in Florida.
Here in Canada, those signs are generally forced on event coordinators by the police services and the liquor boards - the threat is - allow the "Bad Guys" in wearing their colours and we will shut down your event.
In Shreveport Louisiana, bikers stood up to their state fair board. A campaign on Facebook triggered a ton of calls to the fair board and the next thing you know, the discriminatory signs came down.
This all transpired in the space of one day.
The article in the Examiner goes on to state that bikers in Louisiana still have to fight against the discriminatory practices of the Louisiana Boardwalk that does not allow biker gear to be worn on the boardwalk and that bikers need to continue wearing their colours, patches and gear proudly, continue to do the good works they do and work at changing the fear that the general public has about our community.
Here in Canada, I have been calling for bikers to unite under that same message for a long time. We need a national organization to protect us, we need to be protected under the charter as far too many people in this country are discriminated against and profiled by police services who use the Liquor Boards and event licenses like the proverbial carrot stick to prevent what they call the show of force by "Illegal Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs".
The sad fact of the matter is that the police services will not provide event coordinators with the images of the patches and colours that the police services deem as illegal and in order to protect themselves and be allowed to host events and have a liquor license, many events simply say NO CLUB COLOURS.
It is also sad but true that internal politics in our community prevent us from uniting for protection.
You have groups, associations and clubs that "dislike and resent each other", that will not work with each other for the common good because they can't see beyond their own narrow views or their own fears and others that simply will not support anything if "THOSE GUYS" are present - meaning 1%er's.
The bottom line is that the discrimination started with "Those Guys" and has now swept through our community like a cancer and fear of reprisal keeps bikers from working with each other on the things that matter most.
You have others who never attend events and since they don't , they refuse to get involved because they feel it doesn't affect them. That kind of apathy affects our community just as bad if not worse than the internal squabbles and the internal discrimination.
Hubby and I just finished watching season three of Sons of Anarchy and for those of you that watch the show there is one underlying theme throughout the show that I observed. People are people, it doesn't matter whether you wear the uniform of the police, of business or a club - there are crooks, cons and cheats in every walk of life.
The mentality of far too many people who have never really been exposed to our community is one of fear. Fear of the unknown, fear based on what is served up to them in the main stream news and by the police services. Only we can change that fear into something positive and the writer of the article, in the Examiner, Mary Baker is right.... Begin Quote: This is only one small victory for the biker community. We still have the prohibitions at the Louisiana Boardwalk and we have the negative image that so many of our neighbors have of us. Continuing to proudly wear our colors and gear while participating in charitable events is one way we can change this image. And, sticking together as a family, and standing up for our rights as we saw in the State Fair instance, is another. I'm proud to be a member of the motorcycle community in Shreveport." End Quote
I hope you will join the discussion on joining forces to work towards the ending of discrimination in and of our community. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, our forums and here in this blog - I love hearing from you!
In other news:
A 54 year old male rider was killed on the Malahat Highway in BC yesterday. It is believed that the driver of the vehicle has a medical condition that may have been a factor in the crash. Our hearts go out to the rider's family and friends.
Steve Drane Harley-Davidson has donated a reconditioned oil drum FILLED with coins to support Jeneece Place which is being built next to Victoria General Hospital to provide out-oftown families with a home-like place to stay while their children are in town for medical treatment. Seventeen-year-old Jeneece has been the driving force behind the $5.5-million facility after recognizing the need for it during her many trips to Vancouver for specialized care.
In Elmira Ontario a horse and buggy and a motorcycle collided. Everyone including the horse sustained minor injuries and is OK, the horse and buggy was making a left hand turn out of a driveway when the crash occured.
Today is your LAST DAY to order your calendars. If you miss today - you are out of luck until next year. I will only be ordering a very few extras to ensure that we do not miss anyone who did order. IF I have any left they will be sold at the Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver Bike shows - but that is a HUGE IF - so if you want a Biker Kidz, Ladies of Riding or Motorcycle Men's Calendar - today would be the day to get your order in. Remember $10 from every calendar sold goes to the charity of your choice!
There is a ton of news in the feeds today - check out the news that might affect your world over at www.beltdrivebetty.com where we sift through the news so you don't have to.
I wish you a fabulous Monday - if you are still riding, please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you....
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
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