Christian Motorcyclists Unfazed by Biker Gang Violence

Recent violence between rival motorcycle gangs like the Hell's Angels, Pagans and Mongols is generating bad publicity for bikers. Still, millions of other motorcycle aficionados are revving up for a summer full of rides, conventions and shows, including members of the Christian Motorcyclists Association.

Old Bridge, N.J. officials recently cancelled an August event meant to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the motorcycle making company Harley Davidson following a deadly gun and knife fight late last month between rival gang members at a casino in Laughlin, Nev. On May 1, Robert J. Maganza, the leader of the Long Island, N.Y. Hell's Angels, and five other members of the gang were arrested and charged with the robbery and beating of a man at the group's clubhouse.

The increased bloodshed stems from the breakdown of a truce between the rival gangs, law enforcement experts said. The battle in Laughlin was between members of the Hell's Angels and the Mongols inside a Harrah's casino. According to wire reports, three bikers died in the clash.

That was enough for the Old Bridge Township Council to change its plans.

"Technically, Harley-Davidson has decided to seek another location for the event, but they did that based on recent statements that I made and other members of the council saying that we were prepared to rescind their application," Larry Redmond, vice-president of the Old Bridge Township Council, said.

Redmond said the Old Bridge Police Department would not be able to contain the problems that might arise from such a biker gathering.

"There have been recent reports in the news about Hell's Angels seen in the area with New Jersey emblems on their jackets, and there is no New Jersey chapter," Redmond said. "So, that means that someone is stating one up, and this has been notoriously Pagan territory as far as motorcycle gangs go, and this is one of the groups they have been feuding with."

Motorcycle gang experts agree. "Any type of motorcycle show is going to attract both kinds, both standard, law-abiding people who just love to ride motorcycles and people who are involved in motorcycle gangs," Detective Raymond McGowan, with the National Alliance of Gang Investigators Association, said.

"The common denominator here is motorcycles, so if you have a show with motorcycles, you're going to attract both," he added.

McGowan said it's up to local communities to decide if they can handle such an event.

"Harley-Davidson just so happens to be the choice of most motorcycle gangs out there. If it's going to be a Harley-Davidson show, there is going to be a higher probability that a gang member would show up there, not necessarily to cause trouble but to see the show. Then, when you get conflicting gangs, you have problems," McGowan said.

However, according to the Christian Motorcyclist Association (CMA), the problem is overblown.

"We would never classify a gang as up to no good. It is just a couple of individuals. It's not the gang. Like any group, there are a couple of individuals who are up to no good," Jeff Shreve, director of media relations for CMA, said.

Shreve also isn't concerned about the New Jersey event being canceled, saying there are many other motorcycle activities planned over the next several months.

"To be real honest, there is something every weekend of the summer." He said there are so many events his group cannot even make it to all of them.

Shreve also predicted that despite the trouble in Laughlin this year, bikers will be back at that location next year.

"I figure Laughlin will still go on next year. I don't see that it will have a big effect on things. It is a shame that there were some motorcyclists involved with that, but it was just a few individuals," he said.

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