An outlaw biker and his “colors” declare membership in a particular club. Colors usually consist of a three-piece patch embroidered on a leather or denim jacket which contains the name of the club, the club’s logo, and the club’s location.
Bryan Denson of The Oregonian wrote an interesting article (April 20, 2008 – with Bruce Ely (photographer)) about the rise of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMG) in Oregon. Specifically it detailed how the Mongols Motorcycle Club (MMC) had discretely opened a 4th chapter in Eugene after previously setting up chapters in Portland, Medford and Bend. The article characterized them as one of the most violent OMGs of the “Big Five” and it made me wonder if Oregon was set for a bloody turf war like the late 60’s in San Francisco. The aftermath of many killed bikers was that the Gypsy Jokers MC left California and the Hells Angels agreed to stay out of Oregon.
So what’s going on here? Are rivalries between OMGs sparking a local trend and a recruitment drive to expand their network? Will Oregon witness more violent confrontations and increased criminal activity? Will this impact the Taco Wednesday riders who seldom throw a leg over anything and live to ride…to a dealer to buy something bright and shiny?
A little background and context — OMGs are well-organized with a hierarchical structure, bylaws, and a written constitution. The organizational structure is complex. Members are required to pay dues and attend meetings and events (e.g., “runs”) to demonstrate loyalty to the club leadership. Infractions are punished by penalties with the most severe being death. Club members refer to themselves as “1%ers” (or One Percenters) and most display “1%” patches on their jackets, or “Colors 13”. The label refers to a quote by the American Motorcycle Association stating that “ninety nine percent of all motorcycle riders in this country are law abiding citizens.” The OMGs claim to make up the remaining one percent, thus the reference.
The Oregon Attorney General (Hardy Myers) completed a comprehensive review of the organized crime threat to citizens of Oregon back in 2006. The review included everything from possible terrorist attacks to threats from outlaw motorcycle gangs. The “Big Five” refer’s to the five major U.S. OMGs (Hells Angels (3500 members worldwide), Bandidos, Pagans, Outlaws, and Sons of Silence).
The illegal activities of “1%ers” include narcotics manufacturing and trafficking, vehicle thefts (in particular, Harley motorcycles), assaults, and prostitution. Some OMG members have diversified into “legitimate” businesses (e.g., motorcycle shops, night clubs, strip clubs), though more often these businesses have been set up for money laundering and fueled by unlawful activities. Oregon now has five separate OMGs. Most have multiple chapters in the state and at least one chapter in three bordering states. In addition, the largest OMG in Oregon has established a chapter in Germany and has affiliated clubs in Australia and South Africa. Below is a list of the estimated members of each OMG:
OMG Founded OR Members
Free Souls 1968 105
Brother Speed 1969 45
Gypsy Joker 1956 40
Outsiders 1968 26
Mongols 1969 12-15
Vagos 1965 15
Source: Police estimates; Attorney General report
The typical response from an outlaw member is “It’s not a gang…we’re a bunch of motorcycle enthusiasts getting together”, but do a Google search on any day of the week and you’ll find news about numerous arrests across the country from manufacture of illegal drugs to trafficking and for all the mystique of being just a bunch of rowdy dudes riding together for the fun of the camaraderie…a lot of dead bodies are piling up! Does this mean all outlaw clubs are filled with miscreants? No, I’ve personally met and talked with Hells Angels and Jokers members and found them to be reasonable. If you treat them with respect then they are reasonable. But they are not all saints either. My advice is to show respect, but to have as little interaction as possible.
The biker legend runs deep in America and many fun loving riders cherish the freedom of the open road and the wind in their face. But, I don’t buy into the outlaw clubs attempting to wrap themselves in a Harley flag of defiance and rebellion. I’ve posted on the Laughlin River Run melee previously and a freewheeling, even raucous lifestyle is one thing, but pushing drugs and killing people are not.
The increased appearance of “colors” flying in Oregon no matter who the “club” means that for us true motorcycle enthusiasts the road just gets a little rougher to navigate.
ALL UPDATED BELOW ON — APRIL 6, 2017
UPDATE: June 20, 2008 — Accused of a litany of felony and misdemeanor crimes, Justin “Mooch” DeLoretto, (27), took his case to trial. A Lane County jury found him guilty of reckless driving and other misdemeanor charges from the April 23 incident in which he was accused of trying to run two biker-gang investigators off Interstate 5 during rush hour. The jury acquitted Mr. DeLoretto of eight felony charges, including conspiracy to commit second-degree kidnapping. Circuit Judge Debra Vogt sentenced the president of Oregon’s Mongols Motorcycle Club to a year in jail and ordered him not to associate with other Mongols — including his twin brother Jeremy, who was at the time acting MMC President — or any outlaw biker gangs. The judge ordered Mr. DeLoretto, to serve six months for each of two counts of menacing. She also suspended his driver’s license and ordered him to serve five years of probation in which he can neither associate with the Mongols nor wear their insignia.
UPDATE: June 24, 2008 — One day after Lane County Circuit Judge Debra Vogt sentenced Justin “Mooch” DeLoretto to a year in jail, he was released to make room for more serious criminals. The Mongols Oregon Chapters president remained in jail before and during his trial which had his bail set very high. He served 62 days and was released because of jail overcrowding.
UPDATED: June 25, 2008 — More HERE, but DeLoretto was sentenced Monday (23rd) to one year in jail on two counts of menacing (misdemeanor). The real kicker is that the DA influenced the judge who order DeLoretto not to associate with the Mongols or wear their insignia for 5 years. Essentially striking down his constitutional right of freedom to associate. He was processed into Lane County jail after sentencing and then promptly released 24 hours later due to jail overcrowding! In total, DeLoretto served 62 days in Lane County jail — 61 of those while waiting trial and unable to post a very high bail.
UPDATE: September 30, 2008 – the Oregonian reported that Justin “Mooch” DeLoretto, the founder of the Mongols Motorcycle Club‘s Oregon chapters, who was ordered not to associate with the organization after a June conviction for menacing a pair of outlaw biker investigators, has left secretly to California. According to Detective Dave Burroughs there will be a warrant for his arrest. Mr. DeLoretto, joined the San Diego Mongols chapter and went to work in a tattoo parlor owned by a member of the motorcycle club.
UPDATE: October 2008 — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) raided all people, places and things Mongol in October and they raided that tattoo parlor. DeLoretto was detained and investigated. And, so Lane County, Oregon learned that he had violated his probation by leaving the state. Oregon issued a warrant for his arrest and asked him to please return to account for his misdeeds.
UPDATE: January 2009 — Justin “Mooch” DeLoretto, turned himself into the Lane County Jail again. He was being held on $50,000 bail, but according to Lane County Sheriff Captain Doug Hooley commented to the Eugene Register-Guard, that there was nothing with his risk assessment score that keeps him from getting out. He was eligible for release later that day.
UPDATE: April 4, 2017 — According to Oregonian news reports, Mr. DeLoretto is a George Fox University graduate student, who is required to complete an internship at a social service agency to obtain a master’s degree in social work. He started an internship a year ago at the Oregon Youth Authority and would of course use what he learned to work with gang-affected youth in the criminal justice system when he completed his studies. But, four months later, the state agency ended his internship after learning he was a founding and member of the Mongols Motorcycle Club.
At any rate, as of this week Mr. DeLoretto has filed a federal lawsuit against the Oregon Youth Authority, claiming his internship was terminated solely because of his club “membership” which violated his constitutional rights of free speech and due process. DeLoretto, (now 35), is seeking undetermined monetary damages for the loss of the internship and punitive damages.
Mongol photo courtesy of Bruce Ely of The Oregonian. Person in photo is reported to be Justin J. “Mooch” DeLoretto, 27, and credited with setting up the Oregon chapters.
Gypsy Joker photo courtesy Flickr
The fact that you buy into the authorities’ practice of calling these clubs “gangs” shows your own anti-club bias. While it’s true that some — even many — of the members of these clubs engage in illegal activity, that doesn’t mean it is the club itself doing it or promoting it. I could just as easily argue that the LAPD is a criminal enterprise because sworn officers have been convicted of dealing drugs, taking bribes, even killing people. Motorcycle Clubs are clubs, period. If you don’t like them, don’t join one.
So 250 or so “outlaw” bikers throughout the state makes life hard for all the “true motorcycle enthusiasts?” I think that’s a little melodramatic. Laughlin River Run? That was club on club action there. Sturgis ’06? Same there. In fact, if there’s any trouble at all – and I mean IF – it is normally club vs club.
Of all the runs I’ve done where – to use your term – the “true motorcycle enthusiasts” were in attendance, not once have I seen a patch holder bother anyone. Their money was just as good as that of the RUB’s, and they kept to themselves.
Just remember – the difference between a patch holder (1% or otherwise) and the rest of you is we don’t care if you wear a patch or not.
actually, even better would be to turn the mongols or hells angels gear into fasion wear and when people are wearing it foe style see how quickly they disbanned…they cant kill everyone
wow churk, your a genius!!! the point is that the la police or any law dept for that matters intention is not to engage in illegal activities primarily. These gangs would not exsist if not for illegal activities…my idea still stands: turn the motorcycle gangs jackets and patches into fashion statements, and sell them…see how many people they kill before they are shut down….the new fashion line will be hells-mongols, look out for it
I have been riding on the street for over thirty years now in Oregon (I got my endorsement two days after my license on my 16th birthday) and I rarely, I mean like never, have seen an Outlaw on any of the really cool backroads. If it is a paved, cool route not on a freeway anywhere in the Pacific Northwest I have been on it. Go the cities and then to the lower class bars and you can find outlaw bikers, but if you truly are a rider (I put over 200k on my last BMW) you will not find these guys out where the roads are good and the people are rare. Hunter Thompson said it best when he stated that Outlaws are city boys, not country folk. I think they are an overblown worry, but I carry a .45 out there, just in case…….
The biggest gang I know of in the country is right in Washington, DC..It is called the United States Congress.
I’m more afraid of them than a 1%’er
Somehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation 🙂 Anyway … nice blog to visit.
cheers, Emaciated!!
David, I think you might be missing the jist of colors, you dont want to put on a 1% patch and sell them to people, you don’t want a 3 piece patch on your back unless you have earned it, by wearing clothes that represent a club, it only means you support the club…..it’s a matter of respect, a bit military like, you would not wear a ranger patch if you were not a ranger.
clubs are here to stay, give respect, get respect.
I’ve known members of the GJMC through a family member (my father rode with them in the 70’s and early 80s). Granted most were dickheads but I don’t think they or any MC is that big of a threat. As was stated above most of them only rode their bikes when they were in search of drugs or alcohol. If your hanging in some lowlife bar or with tweakers you might be in danger of them.
The real threat ,while were worried about these boneheads are the African American and primarily Hispanic street gangs moving into OR and WA. Count how many Surenos (Mexican Mafia), Nortenos (Neusta) there are here compared to Outlaw MC members in OR and WA. How many of those gang members are clogging our correctional institutions both adult and juvenile with thier members? Then take a look at how many OMG’s members are there, and your going to find its a much smaller number.
Lets also take into account violent crime and who is more likely use it and what is more important to focus on. A kid on Tacomas Hilltop opening up with a AK47 on his rivals; or a Gypsy Joker beating some other drunks ass in some sleaze pit bar in Aberdeen.
When OMG members starting killing each other in mass like Hispanic, and African American gang members are, then I’ll worry. This is just once again placing the wrong emphasis on the wrong people.
GJFFGJ
Churk, Hickory, Hawgwash, Broc, Simon, obviously you guys “get it”. The writer, along with David definately doesn’t. In fact, seems to me like a rather LEO influenced article if you ask me.
I have been a biker for well over 33 years. I have lived in two different states during that time. I have serious biker friends, all across the country. Some are patch holders, some are independents. Every one of them knows, this article, and the one in the oregonian as well, are really dealing with stuff that is club business. And, as club business, it is none of the writers or anyone elses to be delving into.
In fact, to me, the whole thing was pushed to publishers and journalists by law enforcement to stir the pot. Sure, there is a new club here. Sure, they might not be following what is set down as “protocol” as is traditional. Who’s business is that? Certainly not Joe publics. IT is not going to effect Joe public RUB rider in the slightest unless he goes sticking his nose in, or, grows some hair an gets some nerve and starts going to club events and functions and shooting his mouth off in a disrespectful way.
Actually, I think it would do good for some of the none patch holder public to start going to some club events and runs if they can get themselves invited, or some of the public events the clubs have. See for yourself what kind of guys they are. You will probably have the best time of your life.
Remember, if you decided to stop trying to look like one of them with your new leather vest with all your little meaningless patches on them and get out there and meet some, you might have a different opinion. For all the HOG people out there these days putting down clubs, you sure do spend a lot of time trying to look and act like them.
If you give respect, you will get it back, if you act like an ass, your going to be treated the same way. Education by rat pack is a good learning tool to use on those that act disrespectuf towards a club in their presence. If your man enough to hang out with a club, then do it, otherwise stick with your HOG chapters and riding clubs and know that the danger of you ever getting caught up in club vs. club business is nil, unless you go looking to stick your nose into it.
Believe everything law enforcement and attorney generals put out and your just sheep like most of America. I know criminal bikers, I know criminal cops, and criminal lawyers, and criminal doctors, and criminal oil company executives. There are criminals in all walks of life, and most of them are far more dangerous to society than the outlaw biker.
If you ride with your buddies to starbucks or taco wednesday, your really not even likely to encounter club guys. They do their thing you do yours and you will probably have more danger to your motorcycling experience from granny in her ford.
Good points Joe.
Since I wrote the last post I bumped into by accident a few members of the GJMC. They sure seemed to have changed a lot since the mid to late 70s when my father would ride with them (he wasnt a member). They seem more in line now with guys who are more or less a club, with a few bad apples by their own admittance. When I last encountered them they were some pretty vicious guys involved in some pretty nasty business. Granted these guys are still probably not the most law abiding among us but for the various law enforcement agencies to place so much emphasis on them in our region seems like taxpayers money and time misspent.
I still stand by my statement that street gangs and yes even other motorcycle “clubs” are a bigger threat to the public.
@ Joe – in the words of “the dude” (Lebowski)… That’s just, like, your opinion, man. Thx for stopping by.
like chuck & tc said we r biker’s we luv freedom & party’s with our lady’s & brother’s we respect each other or come in peace or leave in peace that our credo we are no mafia shit but if some one came drunk ass to insulte my color u know the rest, **Lucky 13** O.N.O.F.
Mac, your calling any motorcycle club a gang just shows your lack of knowlage about “motorcycle clubs”. Just because the cops call them that does not make it so.
Definition acording to most cops:
There have been many definitions of the term “gang” over time, one definition of the term is, a group is considered a gang if it has a formal organizational structure, identifiable leadership, identifiable territory, and recurrent interaction, and is engaged in serious or violent criminal behavior .
Kinna sounds like the cops dont it?
heres one example as of late…
S.D. – ~Seattle officer involved in biker shooting was disciplined before~
~Detective taunted football fans, reportedly made threat~
The Seattle police officer who reportedly shot a known member of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang at a weeklong rally in South Dakota was previously disciplined, once for taunting fans at a football game and another time for allegedly threatening to shoot a restaurant manager who had asked him to leave.
Police officials have not released the name of the officer involved in the shooting, or four other officers with him at the time, but sources have confirmed he is a 43-year-old detective who works for the Seattle police Pawn Shop Squad and is a police guild board member. The officer also is known throughout the department as an avid motorcycle rider.
South Dakota investigators have obtained videotape of the shooting that Seattle union leaders believe will exonerate the officer of any wrongdoing in the altercation that left a Hells Angels member wounded.
“I think it’s going to be pretty evident that the officer was fearful of his safety and life and that’s why he had to fire,” said Sgt. Rich O’Neill, president of the Seattle Police Officers’ Guild.
O’Neill said Seattle officers are now concerned for all of their safety because of the Hells Angels’ reputation of violent retaliation if one of their members is attacked. “There is a real threat,” he said.
Authorities have said the officer and four others at the scene all identified themselves as members of the Iron Pigs, a motorcycle club made up mostly of police officers and firefighters.
Of the other four officers at the scene, one has been identified as a sergeant who at one time ran the security detail for former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice.
The two men were with a group of officers who had traveled to Sturgis, S.D., to join the annual motorcycle rally there.
The shooting happened around 1 a.m. Saturday at the Loud American Roadhouse, a popular bar that held as many as 500 patrons at the time. Sturgis police reported that there was an altercation between some Hells Angels gang members in the bar and members of the Iron Pigs, all of them Seattle police officers on vacation.
Authorities have not said what led to the confrontation, though sources said it might have been sparked because the officers were displaying colors or other identifying markings associated with their club.
At some point, the confrontation became physical, and one of the officers allegedly fired two shots, striking and wounding one of the Hells Angels.
O’Neill said he spoke with some of the officers who attended the Sturgis motorcycle rally and that based on early indications, he believes the officer was defending himself from a “completely unprovoked” attack that might have involved choking.
“It’s unfortunate that it had to end like this,” O’Neill said. “All the same, the indications are that somebody was totally jumped and beaten. If that’s what the investigation says, they have a right to defend themselves.”
Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske has relieved all five officers of duty, pending the outcome of the investigation by South Dakota authorities, according to a statement released on Saturday.
The chief also sent a team of detectives to Sturgis to learn more about the incident, including homicide Lt. Jim Dermody, homicide detectives and a sergeant with the Office of Professional Accountability. The team arrived Saturday, but there was no information available on Sunday as to what they might have learned.
“Our job isn’t to interfere with the investigation, but to gather information for our internal purposes,” said Seattle police spokesman Sean Whitcomb.
The group of Seattle officers has attended past Sturgis motorcycle gatherings without problems, O’Neill said.
Federal law allows off-duty officers to carry their guns, and the Seattle Police Department’s manual gives each officer the option to carry one while off duty.
“One of the reasons for that federal law is that police officers, unlike anyone else, are almost on duty all the time,” he said. “You never know when you might run into someone who you arrested.”
All are looking forward to “getting back to this side of the mountains,” he said.
The officer implicated in the shooting has not been arrested or charged with any crime, but has been disciplined in the past. The detective was suspended for two days for conduct unbecoming an officer during a Seahawks football game on Jan. 8, 2005.
He arrested a fan he said had assaulted him, but other witnesses said the officer’s comments at the conclusion of a game the Seahawks lost to the Rams had provoked the crowd. He allegedly taunted the Seahawks fans by pretending to cry like a baby and yelling out, “Go Rams.”
The man he arrested had objected, yelled at him and, during a melee, the detective was struck with a megaphone the man was holding.
The officer contended the man had assaulted him and so arrested him, but other witnesses said the blow was accidental.
According to the city’s investigation documents on the matter, a witness told investigators, ” ‘Had the officer not said a word, it would never have happened.” She adds police “are supposed to keep the peace, not rile up the crowd.’ ”
The department disciplined the detective but continued to permit him to work off-duty security at the football stadium if he worked in a different part of the field.
On Aug. 12, 2005, he was again accused of getting into an altercation, that time at a Tacoma restaurant while off duty.
He at one point allegedly threatened to shoot the restaurant manager, who had asked him to leave.
According to internal documents, Tacoma city authorities declined to prosecute the officer, finding there was no evidence that he intended to carry out his threat, but he received a written reprimand for the incident.
But at least one witness said most regular patrons of the restaurant knew he was a cop, and that he was known to always carry a gun.
The police guild is offering moral support to the officer and his family, O’Neill said, and the union’s attorney is aware of the shooting.
“The decision to fire is up to each individual officer. Only you know when you feel the time is right and your life is in danger,” he said, adding, “It’s a traumatic incident any time someone has to fire a handgun.”
This is from the Iron pigs web site and there way of thinking.
We wear three piece colors because we can. We are not a 1% club. Our top rocker states IRON PIGS, that’s who we are. The center patch is our logo, an IRON PIG surrounded by fire. Our bottom rocker is the state we are from. This club will always have three piece colors. We will not ask permission of anyone to wear that bottom rocker. Always remember ‘These Colors Don’t Run’. ‘You Cut One We All Bleed’. Attack one brother and you will answer to a national club of brothers
heres a bit of info from another place:
Looking at the Iron Pigs Motorcycle Club’s web sites – which the group seems to be busy cleaning up – I noticed some coded language that is significant and should be explained.
The Iron Pigs are a club that wears biker “colors” – the denim or leather vests that sport various kinds of patches with symbology significant to the club and biker culture generally.
The main patch on the back is often a “three piece” patch, with the top “rocker” being the name of the MC, the middle patch being their symbol and the bottom “rocker” being the name of a state or city.
The significance of the bottom “rocker” – the place name is that dominant outlaw MC in an area will often try to forbid the wearing of the name of a place they dominate.
@ Demoman – there seems to be sensitivity to the term “gang” vs. using “club” although no one has balked at the “outlaw” references. It’s not a lack of knowledge, but I’ve interchanged the two terms in various blog posts. I’ll work to be more consistent. Complicating this is the routine references by the media to gangs vs. clubs.
Re: the Sturgis shooting (which I’m not excusing the police action) — the Seattle PI is reporting that Hells Angel member Joseph Patrick McGuire was arrested Jan. 18, 2007, as part of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the San Diego Police Department. Police served warrants on two San Diego-area homes that belonged to the president of the Hells Angels’ local chapter. McGuire is the chapter treasurer and was arrested at one of the homes in Pacific Beach, Calif. Police seized a pound and a half of marijuana, in addition to hydrocodone and oxycodone pills, and $5,000 in cash. The San Diego chapter president and vice president were charged in separate cases in the investigation. McGuire was released on bond and scheduled for a pre-trial hearing Aug 20 in San Diego County Superior Court, with his trial set for September. He was charged with possession of marijuana for sale and two counts of illegal possession of narcotics.
As always there is much more to the story than what first appears. I did cover the Policeman record at: https://nwhog.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/when-iron-pigs-fly/
“Oh My God”: 5 “OMGs” Whatever!
Pretty words: clubs ~ gangs
Let’s not forget: organizations ~ nations~ brotherhhoods
Simplified:
Part 1
There are really 2 (whatever you want to call them) being discussed here. (I know many members of 1 and a couple of the other)
The other 3 are standing on the right side! ( I know members from 2 of these)
If they are going to fight it won’t be with any “enthusiast” standing in the way. If an “enthusist” is in the way they will get spit in the eye! And they will know why they are getting spit in the eye!
Part 2
Are ya following all of it or just some of it? I read an article last night that stated 2 members from the 2nd main club being discussed here were arrested running an officer off of the road. And within an hour they arrested 1 member from the 1st one being discussed here for an unrelated traffic violation or some petty shit. And what? Locked them up together? Screwed with thier minds is more like it!
Law enforcement is making it much worse with thier tiptoeing around telling one “OMG” what they think the other “OMG” is doing! Or what they want them to think! (same article) They can’t do this with all of them because they already have business agreements and will treat those agreements with honor and respect.
The government created 911. In both senses, help and destruction. Or so that when they caused destruction we could call them for help!
It is club business. Walk right or stay out of the way!
Love & Respect to the entire Free Soul Brotherhood!
As an ex-LEO I can tell you from personal experience that the majority of patch-holding motorcycle club members I ran into as a uniformed police offier were by in large no great trouble. As stated before in this blog, if you treat them with respect they will treat you likewise. Even when I had the duty to cite or arrest, MOST members were no more trouble that all the fine up-standing citizens I had the same type of contacts with. Most looked at me with distrust but loosened up a bit after we talked. I can recall being on patrol early one evening and seeing a group in a pull-out on the side of the highway working on a bike. I pulled in to see if they needed assistance. Offered to run someone in to town for parts even. After they overcame the shock of a cop asking if he could help, they acted just like everyday joes. Which, by the way, they are. As with anything, the few make it bad for the many. The ones that act like animals need to be treated as such. As for the rest, treat them as good as they will allow you to and see what happens. I’m betting if you take the time to talk to them alittle, you’ll find that they put there pants on just like the rest of us. Most I think just want to go there own way and be left alone. If they break the law then they pay the same price as the rest of us.
To TC and to Chaz (ex-uniformed officer)
TC wrote in comment #9:
“Granted most were dickheads but I don’t think they or any MC is that big of a threat.”
and in Comment #12:
“When I last encountered them they were some pretty vicious guys involved in some pretty nasty business…”
Ask them about the Cowden Family murders in 1974. I have a friend who, after the bodies were discovered, overheard a new Gypsy Joker saying that the murders were a Gypsy Joker initiation.
The point of flying Colors is to have a established family identity with your fellow Brothers who believe in the same views and lifestyle.
Freedom from the daily crap and hassles of this World is quickly forgotten when you put on your Colors and go riding.
You know who you are-your Colors show that, the ones that you ride with, that you support and look out for, know that the Club Colors are sacred and they will do what is necessary to protect those Colors and each other in the Club.
Respect is given to all and is necessary in the Biker World.
We are not Saints, we are not followers, we are not sheep, we are not even leaders, But, we are Brothers in Blood, in Colors, in our Souls and that makes us who we are.
Not suits, not wannabes, not motorcycle riders, we are BIKERS with Colors.
1% have payed their dues and they deserve Respect.
I ride alone by choice but I am still a Club member.
The established Clubs of Oregon just want to ride and be free of all the crap.
Treat them in a respectful manner and you will get to know some really wonderful, stand up people
Ok, that’s my view on the subject.
Respect to all.
Deacon.
Attention:
Seeking brother lost in oregon.
Name Jamie henley AKA Loose
brothers are clubs and members Righteous Robin outsider Portland chapter President Passed Tacoma Chapter Lee was pres Tacoma chapter. then also. jamie was pres of the Cossacks out of Whittier Ca years ago.
Not only known by outsiders also brother speed and jokers.
Remember The road loads take down Cops who wanted to be bikers?
It is a long shot but of anyone knows of where or how to get ahold of Jamie please email me or pass the info to him.
Little brother Stevie, email smith.douglas50@yahoo.com
UPDATE: September 30, 2008 – the Oregonian reported that Justin “Mooch” DeLoretto, the founder of the Mongols Motorcycle Club’s Oregon chapters, who was ordered not to associate with the organization after a June conviction for menacing a pair of outlaw biker investigators, has left secretly to California.
According to Detective Dave Burroughs there will be a warrant for his arrest.
I’ve updated this post.
See full article at: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/09/mongols_oregon_founder_accused.html
you guys who are on here typin negative shit about us know nothing about us we are not a mafia on wheels we are a club who will defend our colors at any cost if we feel threatend if you dont like us fuck off if you do fine and if you wanna run your mouths about us have the balls to say it to our faces and not behind the safty of a computer AFFA
and heres somthing else when we do right no one remembers when we do wrong nobody forgets AFFA
Very surprised that folks are still posting to the thread.
It is still in my opinion, club business. Folks that are not wearing the patch of either club, A) don’t have shit to worry about. B) probably shouldn’t go around publicly talking about stuff that is CLUB BUSINESS.
Keep in mind folks, Independents, mom and pop clubs, one piece clubs are by and large so far off the radar of the bigger 3 piece clubs, those large clubs could really care less about what you do. Provided, Your actual colors of your patch do not mimic theirs. That your not claiming territory, and, that your MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS, and, showing respect when appropriate.
One good way to get put on their radar, is yackin about their business. In the biker world it is considered a disrespectful thing to do. Right up there with asking, do you know so and so, or, naming names.
Easiest way in the world to avoid a negative encounter with a 3 piece club is……RESPECT. Show it, and you will get it.
They are not a riding club, they did not buy their patch, they are not a club you can go on the internet and sign up for. You prospect, long and hard, you EARN the right to wear that cut. And, you sacrifice, you sacrifice some of your own freedoms for the betterment of the club. Many people are just not up to that level of commitment in their life.
You do not have to like them. You do not have to believe in their traditions, protocols and belief system. But, you better realize that every man wearing a 3 piece patch has earned that patch, and, respect that if nothing else.
Another man Dirty Richards will be familiar with has a saying that pretty much sum’s it all up. In my personal opinion a pretty good way to approach life.
“treat me good, I’ll treat you better, Treat me bad, I’ll treat you worse.”
Sunshine and fair winds to all.
After encountering members of three of the five clubs listed (and yes, they’re clubs and to label them “outlaw” is painting with a very, very broad brush – as another person posted here, by the standard the LEO’s use, they are just as much “outlaws” as those they brand as such…), all I have to say is that they were more honest, stand-up and straight-forward than most of the prigs and a-holes that I have to deal with in the day-to-day world; you know where you stand with them as opposed to the wanna-be punk out there who’d just as soon slit you open for the $1.85 in wallet as help you. It’s all about respect – you give it, you get it; wanna be a friggin’ idiot and mouth off, you get exactly what you deserve. And BTW, I wouldn’t be too surprised to see club membership increase as troops come home from Iraq and Afghanistan – like I said, there’s more stand-up folks in the clubs who’ll watch a brother’s back than in the “citizen” world, just like there is in the military…just food for thought.
Support Your Local “1%er!”
You prospect, long and hard, you EARN the right to wear that cut. And, you sacrifice, you sacrifice some of your own freedoms for the betterment of the club. Many people are just not up to that level of commitment in their life.
You do not have to like them. You do not have to believe in their traditions, protocols and belief system. But, you better realize that every man wearing a 3 piece patch has earned that patch, and, respect that if nothing else.
Amen to that….’nuff said.
I would just like to comment on the Iron Fags (Pigs). These are a bunch of punk ass cops flying a three piece patch hiding behind a badge when it comes time to be accountable or be a man. I mean if your going to fly an outlaw patch, you better be ready to accept what comes with it. I’m quite sure the son of a bitch cop from OR. will never be prosicuted because hes a cop. Thats ok with me just as long as when someone makes him pay the price for his actions we don’t have to listen to his freinds and family and anyone else about how he is a law abiding cop. BULLSHIT. You reap what you sew.
Yoda
Doc,
The level of commitment you speak of comes with a price.
I personally know of members of a one percenter club in my area who, (now that they are older, have families, careers, other responsibilities, etc.) would rather get out, but they know there will be a price to pay and they are afraid to pay it…
They got into the club back when they were young and stupid and full of piss and vinegar. Time has passed, priorities have changed, and that commitment is now coming back to bite them in the ass.
Windy Joe
The reason they like to keep things private under the so called ‘club business rule’ is because they don’t want the crap coming under scrutiny in the light of day – where others can see it.
The mafia likes to operate that way too. Keep things under wraps so that Joe Citizen doesn’t see them for what they are.
Time to let the light shine in.
Yoda,
Non only are you disrespectful, but you lend credence to the belief that those of your kind are amongst the dregs of humanity.
The three piece patch is not an outlaw invention so get over it.
When confronted, I will USE any tool and DO anything to win. Period. As I have said before, fair fights are for the ring.
Rather be tried by twelve than carried by six.
midgeelou
To TC and to Chaz (ex-uniformed officer)
TC wrote in comment #9:
“Granted most were dickheads but I don’t think they or any MC is that big of a threat.”
and in Comment #12:
“When I last encountered them they were some pretty vicious guys involved in some pretty nasty business…”
Ask them about the Cowden Family murders in 1974. I have a friend who, after the bodies were discovered, overheard a new Gypsy Joker saying that the murders were a Gypsy Joker initiation.
I sure can’t speak to that but only to my experience. Most of the guys my dad rode with partied way too hard, and admittedly had a foot in the criminal community. None seemed to be the killer type, or violent unless challenged.
I’m looking for a Free Soul from back in the late ’90’s. His name was Scotty and was a good friend of my Dads. Hung out in Ridgefield a little while. Cool guy.
“I’m quite sure the son of a bitch cop from OR. will never be prosicuted because hes a cop.”
Ummm, the cop was from Seattle PD. Washington, not Oregon. Just to clarify things….
Interesting thread. Good reading, even if it wanders off-topic a bit from time to time.
One thing strikes me as strange. As a people, we Americans are naturally suspicious of three things above all else. The Government, the media and law enforcement. If one of these groups tells us that the sky is blue, we all instinctively question that statement and look for falsehoods and conspiracies.
But not when it comes to Motorcycle Clubs. Then, whatever any of these three groups feed to the public, the public swallows whole, nods in unison and agrees with wholeheartedly. Why is that?
Respects,
Hermano Roadrash
Here is a web-site that may be helpful. It provides a lot if info and answers a lot of questions concerning various types of Motorcycle Clubs, Riding Clubs, Motorcycle Associations, etc..
http://home.earthlink.net/~rcvsmc-edu/
There is a lot of reading and getting through it all is time-consuming, but well worth it.
I’m going to post this on several related threads, so don’t be surprised if you run across it in another area. Not trying to “clog up the blog”,… just think that it is a good site which may help those unfamiliar with patch-holders and club life have a bit of insight into our world.
Respects,
Hermano Roadrash
PS: I still maintain that the best way to get to know the club world is to respectfully meet and get to know a patch-holder or two (or more) in person.
To Hermano Roadrash,
The site you mention (and the information in it) needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
The contributors are those of the 1%er (outlaw) world (or their supporters) and this is how they would like everyone to think and operate.
Their brand of respect is often confused with fear and intimidation.
I will allow that it is informative in that it shows a window into the outlaw way of thinking.
How I wish that the Gypsy Jokers were just a group of guys on cool bikes. This is not the case – they dress bad to be bad and feel that they are above the law because they feel that they are the law. Recently, a wonderful lady friend of mine was threatened at a bar in NE Portland by one of the “higher ups” in the Gypsy Jokers of Oregon. The Gypsy Joker threatened her life because she showed up at the bar as planned to pick up some sentimental items from her ex-boyfriend who was there and who happens to be linked, through his niece, to the Gypsy Jokers. My friend stood her ground and got the police involved, but still, what the Gypsy’s do is drugs and if they can’t hook you by drugs they’ll attempt to hook your psyche with fear. Darn right low life thugs is what they are when you get down to it.
i have read all of the stuf on hear,some good and some bad,iknow some people in a lot of clubs,but the public is to quick to judge anyone who rides a motor cycle.i started a group in a little town in michigan for the moose riders club and was labled a gang of bikers.we have bylaws set down to us from moose int..and we dont talk to the rest of the world about the decessions that are dicuessed at our meetings.so i guess that make us.part of that group.a lot of comments have been made about respect,people should try that in there everyday life,not gust in the biker world.thanks steve a retired cop.
Steve,
You are essentially going to be judged by what you do, ……… or don’t do.
For example, most HOG chapters (Harley Owners Group) are not considered gangs, nor are they labeled as such by law enforcement. Why is that? They are a group that ride motorcycles and have meetings, so based on your description, they should be considered a gang.
They aren’t considered a gang because of what they choose to involve themselves in and how they conduct themselves.
That applies not only to individuals, but to groups (Clubs) as well.
In response to TC’s comment about 1% clubs being all good until they start killing eachother….who do you think they’re killing TC? Guess what its all about son….territory and money and murder betwen clubs still goes down. All groups, animals, gangs etc. target their own because they have to occupy the same space. Someone decides they dont want to share a saddlebag and BANG!
Just stay away from the Gypsies and their extended family members that condone the Gypsies behavior. You’ll have a much happier life if you do. If you find yourself trying to leave the Gypsy “web” it soon becomes a nightmare.
DO NOT let your kids be around these folks – whether it be for metal works lessons in the NE Portland area backyard studio or to learn/listen to the blues by the instructor. You’ll be sorry in the long run. It’s just not a healthy environment for anyone, especially our young people who are so impressionable.
The lady mentioned above who got emotionally bounced around and threatened by that Gypsy and his extended family members is a good example of what happens. I hope she is doing okay now, especially after those people did to her and put her through. The folks involved from that family, the blues singer/metal works instructor, the Gypsy that was directly involved, and ALL the Gypsies should be ashamed of what they did to her….So much for the Gypsies trying to show a side of “being good”. The Gypsies are hypocritical when they are doing stuff like this to good people.
Retired LE-i respect your opinion, but its just that; an opinion.
Portlandgirl-needs to watch her mouth, i grew up around gypsies. they are some of the nicest people, yet when provoked can unleash hell.
To everybody else-MC’s are families. you mess with a family member you get hurt. if somebody messed with a loved one wouldnt you seek punishment? i would.
I got respect for ALL 1%ers, and those wearing the patches. they worked hard and EARNED that brand. I grew up with and am in contact with many people from several different clubs. They are my family-my blood. It doesnt matter what club they are from. And because of that i am a free rider. I dont fly colors.
What happens with the clubs is not any of our business. EVERYTHING happens for a reason. So stop bad mouthing them and move on with your life. Stay out of there business and they will stay out of yours.
RESPECT TO ALL PATCH HOLDING MEMBERS!
STAY TRUE-RIDE FREE!
~Padawan
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