The Hells Angels are suing the US Government over their policy of preventing Hells Angels from other countries entry to the US. Apparently - even with no criminal record, people who wear their patch are being told NO when it comes to entering the US.
From everything I am lead to understand about the criminal justice system here in Canada and in the US - it is that an INDIVIDUAL faces charges and goes to jail for their decisions and conduct as an individual. And there is supposed to be a presumption of innocence until proven guilty right?
In light of all of the issues that have been transpiring between the general motorcycle community courtesy of the "fight" between the 1% clubs and the police services, municipal, provincial and federal governments, I have to ask the question - WHY...
WHY - I have to ask this question from a Charter and Criminal Law Point of View - WHY - is sweeping discrimination OK for organizations like the Hells Angels and the general motorcycle community as a result, but not for the RCMP, the Liberal Party of Canada, the Roman Catholic Church, the Boy Scouts?
The definition of a criminal organization is:
Criminal Code s. 467.1
· 467.1 (1) The following definitions apply in this Act.
“criminal organization”
« organisation criminelle »
“criminal organization” means a group, however organized, that
o (a) is composed of three or more persons in or outside Canada; and
o (b) has as one of its main purposes or main activities the facilitation or commission of one or more serious offences that, if committed, would likely result in the direct or indirect receipt of a material benefit, including a financial benefit, by the group or by any of the persons who constitute the group.
It does not include a group of persons that forms randomly for the immediate commission of a single offence.
That's a pretty vague definition isn't it? Truly, that means any group can be deemed to be a criminal organization based on the action of three or more of it's members.
WHY is it OK to treat all who attend a motorcycle rally where members of the Hells Angels or other 1% groups are in attendance like they are all potential criminals? Why is it OK to have Biker Enforcement Units at these rallies, photographing, video tapping all rally goers who dare to speak to a 1% patch holder or who buy a support tee shirt? Why is it OK to allow the members of the BEU to treat us differently from any other tax paying community? And why is it that they are allowed to be so confrontational and to act like they want to instigate a problem?
Why is our community - the other 99% of us who do not belong to 1% clubs, tarred with this brush and yet...there are other communities whose members have conducted themselves just as badly or worse and yet they are considered upstanding communities and treated differently as a whole than we are?
How can we - the motorcycle community ever expect to have a decent working relationship with any police force in any large scale and meaningful way when our community is singled out and treated differently than others?
Help me to understand why the motorcycle community as a whole is treated differently from other communities who have bad guys that walk among them?
I'd love your thoughts on this topic - help me to understand better where the equality we are guaranteed under the Charter exists for motorcyclist - PLEASE.
In other news:
Cher is marrying former Hells Angels member Tim Medvetz. They are planning a long motorcycle trip that will end up in Vegas where they plan to tie the knot!
Wynona Judd's hubby has had his leg amputated. According to news sources he was riding with no license, crossed the centre line and hit hit leg on the fender of a vehicle. Judd has apparently cancelled her Canadian concerts.
In MotoGP news Casey Stoner has SLAMMED Valentino Rossi for his inability to ride the Ducati successfully and he slammed the team for claiming they had a bike that any rider could win with. Rossi remains winless after 22 months with the Ducati Team.
There are a ton of other stories in the news feeds that may affect your day, or life as a rider. To find out what's happening in our world, visit www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping YOU informed!
I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends via Facebook and emails.
Have a fantastic Tuesday everyone and please, if you are lucky enough to be riding today - Ride like EVERYONE around you is blind and can not see you!
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
fucking criminal gang
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