Motorcycle clubs oppose Patriot Act

[jockeyshift]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Northern California Confederation of Clubs, representing 41 motorcycle clubs — including the Hell’s Angels and the Vagos — is asking its members to send letters to their senators opposing the USA Patriot Act. They also oppose California’s Gang Abatement Act and a similar measure now before Congress (S 155, HR 970).

According to Nick Vales, a Vagos member and founder of the Sacramento Bill of Rights Society, the California Justice Department classifies Hell’s Angels and Vagos as “motorcycle gangs” and treats them the same as street gangs. Critics call this a form of group profiling.

“We are not a gang,” said Vales. “Last year we raised money for Christmas presents for the kids at the Sacramento Children’s Receiving Home and donated $1,000 to a school for disabled children in Auburn. In August we sponsor a campout for our own kids.”

The federal legislation contains several provisions similar to the Patriot Act, but unlike the Patriot Act, these provisions don’t have a “sunset clause,” i.e. they are not subject to periodic review and possible expiration. “If they lose those parts of the Patriot Act, they will still have them in the gang law,” Vales said.

Under the California Gang Abatement Act, a misdemeanor charge (“like spitting on the sidewalk,” said Vales) automatically becomes a felony if you are identified as a gang member, and a six-month sentence can be increased to five or 10 years. It also becomes a strike against you under California’s Three-Strike law.

People are being coerced by the threat of long sentences to sign a statement admitting to being a gang member. “This would make me a ‘person of interest’ under the Patriot Act,” Vales said.

“Because of the vagueness of the legislation, if I go to see my brother in Chicago, I can be charged with money laundering because I take cash across a state line and am identified with a motorcycle club.

“Our club also has ties in other countries, such as Mexico and Japan,” Vales said. “If I give a club brother in Mexico $100, I could be charged with supporting terrorism in another country. Even collecting dues for any club or association can be called money laundering.

“As a young man I volunteered for the military,” he said. “Now they are trying to tell me what to wear, who I can associate with, what causes I can fight for. We’re trying to educate all our people that they have rights and should stand up for their rights.”

Source

[FXR2]

Certainly not all motorcycle clubs equate to criminal gangs, and it's a shame to generalize. But the Department of Justice is aware that some outlaw gangs, while sometimes performing legitimate charity functions, still participate in illegal activities. Right here in North Carolina.

http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs3/3690/overview.htm

excerpt: "Criminal groups, particularly Mexican, and to a lesser extent outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMGs), particularly Outlaws, Pagan's, and Hells Angels, transport drugs into and through North Carolina in private and commercial vehicles on interstate highways." [more]


And about the Vagos club/gang in California, it seems the local DOJ out there is familiar with them:

http://caag.state.ca.us/newsalerts/2004/04-100.htm

excerpt: (SACRAMENTO) – A California Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into alleged gang and drug trafficking activities of several members of the Vagos Motorcycle Club has resulted in the arrests of 26 people and the seizure of more than $127,000 in cash and illegal drugs and guns, including three assault weapons. The investigation is ongoing.

Information developed during the investigation led to the arrest by Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies of Richard Gama, 37, of West Sacramento. Gama faces charges involving the homicide of Edward J. Bustillos, 42, in Rio Linda on August 12, 2003. [more]


As are some local citizens, and it's not good:

http://www.desertdispatch.com/2005/110711403836055.html

excerpt: Vagos motorcycle gang back in news, back in jail
Sheriff's Gang Task Force has arrested up to 20 members since mid-October
By MIKE CRUZ/Staff Writer

Sunday, January 30, 2005

VICTORVILLE -- Sheriff's deputies arrived at Mickey McGee's bar in Victorville early Friday morning to find several members of the Vagos motorcycle club beating up a man in the parking lot.

The victim's partner was inside, missing a tooth after one Vagos member cracked him across the face with a bar stool, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

The violence started when the men wouldn't give up playing their pool game when the Vagos wanted the table, deputies said. Seven were arrested.

"They were told this was a Vagos pool table, get off of it," said Shelly Mabry, Sheriff's Department spokeswoman. "(Deputies) just happened to be going by when the fight came out of the doors."

It was the second time in about two weeks that Vagos members were suspected of beating people in a Victor Valley bar. [more]


So I don't feel the least bit sorry about the treatment they get from the authorities. In fact, they're amazingly arrogant for complaining.

[Thealien]

Just the same, giving up any rights because the intended criminals are unpopular is a slippery slope to be on.

There are plenty of laws on the books, prosecute them with those if they break the laws. Many of our politicians should be tried for treason for failing to uphold the constitution that they took an oath to do? Won't see that happening too soon though!

[shinbone1028]

I believe we do need added security to combat terrorists. I also think the patriot act was a knee jerk reaction to 9/11. It needs to be re-written. Some parts I've read are illegal according to the constitution. Thealien's right, there are plenty of laws on the books they never enforce, like immagration,or federal firearms laws.

[FXR2]

I have complaints with the Patriot Act, and I don't think it was intended for use against motorcycle clubs in error or motorcycle gangs on purpose.

But, at the same time I don't have any problem with making criminals uncomfortable, no matter what legislation does it. The club/gang mentioned in the article is known to have many criminal elements among it's members. If they want to eliminate police suspicion, let the honest ones get rid of the criminals in their midst.

Even in this day and age, innocent folks on motorcycles have to deal with the outlaw stigma still alive from the 1960's and we should all be outraged when gangs on bikes perpetuate that stigma that we all pay for.

[swmnkdinthervr]

Originally Posted by FXR2

I have complaints with the Patriot Act, and I don't think it was intended for use against motorcycle clubs in error or motorcycle gangs on purpose.

But, at the same time I don't have any problem with making criminals uncomfortable, no matter what legislation does it. The club/gang mentioned in the article is known to have many criminal elements among it's members. If they want to eliminate police suspicion, let the honest ones get rid of the criminals in their midst.

Even in this day and age, innocent folks on motorcycles have to deal with the outlaw stigma still alive from the 1960's and we should all be outraged when gangs on bikes perpetuate that stigma that we all pay for.

Sadly there's a jerk in every crowd and while the actions of some my be disgusting to you or me, they might not be to others...that said there is no excuse for intrusions into personal liberty no matter your associations, you are either guilty of a crime and should be prosecuted (not harrassed) or left alone to keep the friends you choose...anything, and I mean anything else is an afront to your freedoms guaranteed under the constitution...geez...it seems so obvious!!!

John

P.S. as for those convicted; stand on yer head for 23 hours in a bucket of S**T every day 'til the sentence is through. (the "extra" hour is to eat and refill the bucket) Think there'll be many 2nd and 3rd offences???

[FXR2]

Jerks are people that talk during a concert, not drug and gun runners and street thugs that mug and kill people. Who wouldn't find that disgusting behaviour?

Not sure of your point. Maybe I'm wrong and if so, don't take offense, but if you're saying "those poor innocent Vagos guys and those mean old police..." These guys aren't choirboys. Here's some more info:


http://ag.ca.gov/bne/pdfs/vsp.pdf

Vagos motorcycle gang loses meth lab and several weapons.

Los Angeles VSP agents and the FBI served an arrest warrant
from an investigation of the Vagos motorcycle gang. At the
location a meth lab was seized along with 22 firearms
including an UZI submachine gun and custom-made zip gun.
The LA ALERT team responded to investigate the meth lab.
In a piggyback warrant, 2 ounces of meth, assorted
pharmaceutical drugs, and a shotgun were seized.


These are some of the folks making sure that others have ready access to drugs and illegal guns. The drugs that end up being shoved at your kids, and the guns that are used to perpetrate other crimes and kill innocent people. And they get their kicks by sending seven of theirs into a bar to beat up two other guys? This is called cowardice. Or maybe just having some good, clean fun?

Just regular guys who happen to innocently be around some others who have been what, wrongly accused by the policemen? I mean read all the articles. And there's plenty more negative info out there on the Vagos.

Last time I checked, just knowing of illegal activity and keeping it quiet made one guilty as an accessory to a crime, even if they themselves didn't participate. I find it hard to believe that there's even one Vagos member that honestly doesn't even know about any illegal activity among the members. If you're knowingly hanging around criminals, unless you're a Minister or social worker or parole officer, you shouldn't be surprised to get some hard looks by the authorities, or regarded as a suspect yourself.

When these guys moan about their rights, they're abusing the intent of the constitution, not making a case for upholding it.

I'll get off the soapbox, now, but I have a short fuse when it comes to crime. Been a victim myself and so have friends.

[petelogan]

UK Govt Enacts New Law.

Under the new Anti-Terrorism Legislation recently proposed in UK, and which will be passed after the coming Elections, the State may

Arrest any individual or group

Confiscate any property associated with, or believed to be associated with that individual or group

Detain said individual or group without trial or the right to legal advice for any period of time

Deny the indivudual or group knowledge of the charge against them, the evidence against them, or any other information it deems prejudicial to National Security

Deny any person or persons access to any such information

Deny that the individual or group are in custody or any knowledge of their whereabouts or existence.

On the other hand:-

No one I know has ever been troubled by this

No one I know has ever known anyone who has been troubled by this

It currently affects 12 people, none of them UK nationals, and all of them entirely free to leave the country any time they wish.

Motorcycle Clubs, 1%ers, tattoos, earrings, and modifying your Harley Davidson motorcycle were still legal last I heard.

Either that, or I am up Sheiss Creek

Trust your government. After all, you elected them

Pete

[jrrhdmust]

Originally Posted by petelogan

Trust your government. After all, you elected them

Pete

I wouldn't go that far - on the trusting point or the elected point. In my area, whoever promises to give away the most cash in the way of welfare or social security generally gets elected. Since I pay taxes, I usually don't vote that way.

[petelogan]

Originally Posted by jrrhdmust

I wouldn't go that far - on the trusting point

Me either

Pete

[Sieg]

I've never in thirty some years of riding around clubbers known any "big five" members whom I would define as "street thugs that mug and kill people". Granted, there are members that are criminals. Then again, there are police officers who are criminals also.

[petelogan]

Same here.

Pete

[Silverback (MP)]

Originally Posted by swmnkdinthervr

Sadly there's a jerk in every crowd and while the actions of some my be disgusting to you or me, they might not be to others...that said there is no excuse for intrusions into personal liberty no matter your associations, you are either guilty of a crime and should be prosecuted (not harrassed) or left alone to keep the friends you choose...anything, and I mean anything else is an afront to your freedoms guaranteed under the constitution...geez...it seems so obvious!!!

Amen

Last time I check we had a constituional right to freedom of assembly and association. The california law definately violates this and the patriot act is borderline (but definite violates the implied right of privacy) I know that this too often quoted but "those that give up necessary liberty to secure safety deserver neither."

[Silverback (MP)]

Originally Posted by FXR2

Last time I checked, just knowing of illegal activity and keeping it quiet made one guilty as an accessory to a crime, even if they themselves didn't participate.

Nope, not in most states.

[FXR2]

Originally Posted by Silverback (MP)

Nope, not in most states.

Did some checking and I stand corrected about that.

"To be prosecuted for obstruction of justice or withholding evidence, someone with knowledge of a crime must lie to a police officer, either by fabricating or withholding information.

In most states, it's not a crime to fail to report what you know about a crime; the law doesn't compel you to come forward and report a murder. Similarly, state statutes also require an affirmative act to label someone an accessory after the fact. You can't be called an accessory just for keeping silent."

So one is only an accessory if they deliberately mislead the authorities. Those good old boys in the Vagos wouldn't do that, I'm sure.