The East Side Gestapo

is at it again. Yes the local members of the Hell's Angels were going to have their Annual Summer Bash at Paddy McD's, I think it is in Mitchell, IL but not sure this coming Saturday. It is an open party that the public is invited to. I have been to this event several times had fun and not seen any behavior I haven't seen at any event. Yet for some reason, rumor has it, the Illinois State Police approached the owner of the establishment and told him he could lose his license if he allowed the party to go on there. This man fearful of losing his livelihood, much like we lost money at our swap meet by the overbearing police presence relented so the party has been moved to Blondie's in Washington Park.

This is the third incident in less than one year where the police have tried to stop or stopped events. Last summer they stopped a Sons of Silence Ride in Central Illinois. Shutting down the bars on the route and generally harassing people. You saw their presence in Collinsville, IL and now this.

These are not elected officials who are making these decisions but rather law enforcement officials who in the truest sense answer to no one. I thought our forefathers came here to get away from that sort of treatment. When you get stopped at a safety Check Point and asked for your license and insurance, how different is that from when the Nazi's would stop folks and ask to see their transit papers, not much I don't think.

I imagine some of you are saying to yourself, well, I don't mind if they do that to the Hell's Angels MC or Outlaws MC or Sons of Silence MC but when you think like that what you forget is how long does it take before somebody decides they don't like your group and then you may find yourself on the other side of the argument.

A place you don't want to be if all a law enforcement official has to say when asked why is their usual "Because I said so." People if we do not awaken to these issues soon we will find ourselves even worse off. Thanks for making us part of your biking life.