About a week ago in Josephine county it was time for the 7th annual Grants Pass Toy Run.
In case you are unfamiliar with toy runs, they are about bikers of all persuasion getting together to help disadvantage children during a bad time in their life. Or another way to say it is these are children who would have a minimal or no Christmas had it not been for the direct effort of a toy run event. Most if not all of the toy runs are supported by ABATE members and ABATE of Oregon exists to promote the rights and interests of all motorcyclists, both patch holders and independents alike.
But, there is an unfortunate pattern developing in law enforcement in some parts of the country which was visible in Grants Pass, Oregon on October 3rd.
Officials stated that police and fire personnel would not to take part in a charity “toy run” because members of the Vagos MC were in attendance. Specifically Deputy Chief Bill Landis told the Daily Courier that the city considers the Vagos MC to be a criminal organization and took what amounts to a “there goes the neighborhood a’tude.”
Motorcycle clubs are often prominent at charity events, such as toy runs. The non-motorcycle riding public might conclude from the city’s police and fire personnel actions that any motorcyclist attending a toy run is possibly affiliated with a criminal enterprise. It’s true that the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has weighed in on the topic complaining of the bad publicity for motorcycling in general caused by so-called “outlaw” clubs. They’ve previously stated that the presence of these clubs at charity events has actually harmed the needy by driving down public participation and reducing donations. The shootout’s between rival motorcycle clubs in the midst of a charity toy drive have not helped. In fact, they have influenced authorities in some states to attempt a ban on certain clubs from charity events, or to restrict the wearing of colors at those events. This in turn prompted litigation in Pennsylvania on the unfair exclusions.
Before you get the wrong idea… does giving presents to boys and girls make up for bad things that some of the motorcycle club members do? No. But, neither should we consider ALL cops bad because some of them instead of catching criminals ARE criminals?
I’ve participated in a number of toy runs and find this maneuvering and attempt to cast a guilt by association on what otherwise would be acts of kindness for kids very disappointing.
Previous posts about the Vagos MC in Grants Pass are HERE and “Operation Everywhere” HERE.
Photo courtesy of ABATE.
Northwest Harley Blog 
Total bullshit Mac. Unfortunate truth is, cops are cops and don’t see anything beyond their own BS. They regularly pull over and harass Patched bikers. They profile them to no end.
This is something the whole country got up in arms about when Arizona wanted to do it to illegal immigrants, but they are perfectly fine with it when it comes to American bikers.
It’s unfortunate that the cops and fireman don’t want to participate in a toy run to benefit kids. However, I’ll say this. Having attended many ABATE of Oregon toy runs, I don’t remember any cops or fireman joining us in the W valley on any of them in the years I was up there 06 to 09. There were a couple that would ride with us as individuals that were from a fire department, but as representatives of that department I don’t remember any. No Blue or Red Knights anywhere to be seen on the one’s I attended in Oregon.
So, basically what you have is the status quo remaining as it has been, and the head Asshat in GP making the announcement just to garner public support against clubs. This is no different than a few years back when the same asshat called in cops from several other jurisdictions to issue traffic citations to the same club during their annual weekend event. Hundreds upon hundreds of man hours of over time, high visibility, press and publicity all in the name of keeping clubs under their thumb.
I have and will since that time boycotted Grants Pass and Josephine county. I would call on all bikers to spend their hard earned dollars elsewhere. If they don’t want us, fine, but don’t let him have our money too. Perhaps the chamber of commerce needs to determine which group is worse for local business. The Vago’s MC or the asshat in the chief of police office.
Respects,
WJ
Hey WJ nice to hear from you. Hope you are doing well. My experience is with the Portland toy run where in previous years there was solid support from city officials (Mayor Bud Clark; Randy Leonard, etc.) media outlets and it includes the Portland Police motorcycle escort for the route to the Shriners Hospital.
I’ve ridden with members of the fire department as independents. I don’t remember seeing any Blue or Red Knights either.
See, here is how it is Mac. Outlaw bikers, if you want to call them that know they are not “main stream” America. Yet they are big enough people to put aside any differences they might have with Law Enforcement and work for the greater good and that is the benefit of the kids.
Couple years back while still in Oregon I tried recruiting some of the Blue Knights to come to ABATE meetings. yes, I was pretty foolish and naive to think that those people would stoop so low as to do something that benefits the entire motorcycling community. Their reasons for that was some non association clause apparently. Seems they think anyone in a three piece club is a criminal. Seems they don’t give anyone the benefit of the doubt.
When the hand of working together was extended to them it was slapped away. That and other actions have soured me on anyone in that profession forever. They talk about things like honor and commitment, but all they are committed to is themselves and keeping others down.
That’s ok, in many area’s around the country Law Enforcement has not participated in toy runs for years. And, the kids still get a lot of good done for them by the bikers.
We will continue to ride and be the bigger people. If they don’t want to participate, probably just as well, seems in large crowds and gatherings they have a greater difficulty than the bikers minding their P’s and Q’s.
Respect,
WJ
Vaginas or what ever the slime nation calls them selves are about as low as whale shit. Real tough guys, as they recently in Grants Pass ganged up on an elderly citizen for little if any reason and beat him with a hammer. At the toy run they attempted to intimidate a few non affilliated riders just because they owned a red hankerchief. Dumb Assholes.
Certain clubs identify with certain colors.if your going on a run and your not associated with a outlaw club you probably shouldnt fly their colors and if any elderly citizens were beat with hammers which I doubt very much please believe they had it coming.Being a member of a club requires the individual to conduct himself with respect always as any misadventures can and will reflect poorly on the colors they so highly regard.