Bikers come to town
More than 150 motorcyclists gather in front of Province House
A group of bikers from across the Atlantic provinces took a unified stand against what they described as “unconstitutional treatment” by the P.E.I. government this weekend.
The Atlantic Confederation of Clubs’ (ACC) Unity Ride, which began in Amherst, N.S., ended with a rally of more than 150 bikers in front of Province House in Charlottetown on Saturday.
ACC chairman, Stephen Wallace, said the rally aimed to address issues and raise awareness around biker discrimination and profiling, legislation and traffic laws while also promoting motorcycle safety. Wallace said it also gave ACC members, which range from independent riders to club members, a chance to show their unity and positively support “motorcycle culture and biker lifestyles.”
“We’re here to show everyone we’re not monsters and criminals, as some may try and convince you otherwise,” said Wallace. “We’re people who live and work, raise families and get involved in our communities. “Together, we have a voice and we’re here to respectfully let the province know that we do not accept the proposed discriminatory laws on banning of colours, fortification of houses or loss of public government support targeted at bikers and club members.”
The ACC has been at odds with the provincial government since January when premier Wade MacLauchlan and police agencies held a news conference raising concerns about the growth of riders associated with the Hells Angels and Bacchus in P.E.I. after a Hells Angels hangaround club was opened in Charlottetown last December.
The news conference saw MacLauchlan pledge to create legislation banning motorcycle club colours in bars, regulate the sale of body armor, make the construction of fortified building illegal and keep financial support from motorcycle clubs involved in illegal activities.
The ACC later described the statement as fearmongering and in March invited MacLauchlan to visit the club. A statement from P.E.I.’s public safety department said the province passed the invitation along to the police.
The provincial NDP has publicly supported the ACC, with leader Mike Redmond calling the government’s plan to ban colours as unconstitutional. Although Redmond was scheduled to speak at Saturday’s event, the NDP’s provincial vice president, Chris Clay, instead spoke.
Clay said the party backed the ACC’s in its struggle with the province and described the group as being under attack since the opening of the club.
“It’s not just discrimination against you guys, it shows how the government will aim at groups they don’t like or don’t want around,” said Clay. “Personally, the new clubhouse is in my neighbourhood and I welcome you all. This is an attack on your freedoms and liberties.”
The rally also saw a spokesperson for the Veterans MC, which consists of retired and serving military members, say the group provides members with “an ongoing brotherhood” after their careers.
“The fact we’re wearing ‘MC Club’ simply means we’ve chosen accountability for our members,” he said. “It’s worn with pride.”
Wallace said the group would continue to raise awareness around the issue. “Discrimination, which is happening to us through biker profiling, should not happen in Canada,” said Wallace.
“It’s us today, but it could be you tomorrow.”
"We're here to show everyone we're not monster and criminals as some may try and convince you otherwise.
ACC chairman Stephen Wallace