Denver M/C Violence- Bad PR for Motorcycling

[leafman60]

Dumb asses-

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-denver-shooting-idUSKCN0V80UZ

http://heavy.com/news/2016/01/denver-colorado-coliseum-motorcycle-expo-shooting-stabbing-suspects-victims-names-national-western-complex/

[rocker59]

Why do they call it "Motorcycle Expo" instead of "Biker Expo".

And, why do they allow colors to be worn inside?

It does suck that the police are reluctant to call it gang related, and the press is playing along...

[Gliderjohn]

Maybe promoters should of had a "weed garden" in the parking lot. Then all the bikers would have been to mellowed out to fight. 
Seriously though not good for motorcycling in general. Add the gang thing where a minor argument or pushing match is soon a fool blown riot.
GliderJohn

[Robert]

South Australia Anti-Bikie Laws

Thought by many to get public used to loss of civil liberties.

Will Denver fuel this in the US?

Don't answer that.  It gets political.

Bad PR for Motorcycling - agree.

[redrider90]

Why do they call it "Motorcycle Expo" instead of "Biker Expo".

And, why do they allow colors to be worn inside?

It does suck that the police are reluctant to call it gang related, and the press is playing along...

Why did they allow weapons inside? No metal detectors? "Colors" plus guns and knifes is a recipe for violence.


I have seen a few reports suggesting it is gang related. It's pretty obvious to folks like us it is gang related but the police have to do a thorough investigation.
From Reuters.

"Whether it was motorcycle gang-related, whether it was motorcycle club-related, that is still to be determined," White said. "This is very early on in the investigation."
The incident recalled a shootout last May outside a restaurant in Waco, Texas. Nine bikers were killed, 18 injured, and scores were arrested in that incident.
A witness who requested anonymity out of fear of retaliation told the Denver Post newspaper that the fight was started by rival biker gangs"

I think it is a strange statement to parse words saying they do not know if it is "club related" or "gang related".
Any club that is violent (guns and knifes) is a gang whether they are motorcyclists or members of any other club that uses guns and knifes. When violence occurs the club becomes a gang. And when wearing colors it just confirms that this is a gang related event.

From CNN
"Two rival motorcycle clubs were "possibly" involved in the violence at the Colorado Motorcycle Expo, police Chief Robert White said at a press conference.
The Denver Post quoted a witness, who didn't want to be identified because of fear of retaliation, as saying the violence involved rival biker gangs. Video taken after the shooting showed police talking to groups of men wearing jackets with motorcycle club patches."

From ABC new website
"A fistfight between members of two "motorcycle clubs" at the National Western Stock Show in Denver escalated into an incident that left four people shot -- one fatally -- another stabbed and three others injured, police said.

[Aaron D.]

I am hoping people stop thinking  motorcyclists are some special social group. Pickup truck drivers get in trouble too.

[JeffOlson]

Great! More trouble for me now while commuting on my Norge.

When I ride my Vespa, people smile and wave. When I ride my Norge, not so much...

[LowRyter]

Bikers, colors, weapons all locked into one building?

What could go wrong? 

[oldbike54]

 Believe it or not folks , most people are sophisticated enough to recognize the difference between criminals on motorbikes and the rest of us .

 Dusty

[canuguzzi]

Believe it or not folks , most people are sophisticated enough to recognize the difference between criminals on motorbikes and the rest of us .

 Dusty

The laws regarding many things shows that to be wishful thinking.

[oldbike54]

The laws regarding many things shows that to be wishful thinking.

 What laws ? In 47 years of riding I have only faced real discrimination a couple of times , once at a high end in hotel in Colorado , and once a waitress in a restaurant along I 40 acted kind of weird .

 Dusty

[LowRyter]

I just explain that there are "bikers" and there are "riders". 

But I do laugh out loud at suburban RUBs claim to be "bikers".  Especially when they claim to be "discriminated against".   Boob jobbed, bleached blonde leather biker girl (housewife) on the back of chromed up Softail. 

[Cam3512]

Mongols vs Iron Order.  Fighting over the title of "Biggest Loser".

[oldbike54]

 OK John , I just got my computer screen clean and you go and say something really funny ...

 Dusty

[Chuck in Indiana]

is soon a fool blown riot.

  Freudian slip?

[Bonafide Bob]

Believe it or not folks , most people are sophisticated enough to recognize the difference between criminals on motorbikes and the rest of us .

 Dusty

I agree

[cruzziguzzi]

People will always find the connections which they are already looking for.

I ceased long ago to wring my hands over "publicity" surrounding unfortunate events coincidental to my lifestyle, pastimes or professional status.

If someone wants to make the connection of violence to motorcycling in general - I'm unlikely to consider their mind in any reasonable way, sway-able, and just move on through my life keeping my own powder dry.

Tools is tools... Some ride motorcycles and some drive Priuses..i, er, uptight, quite white, über right vehicles. Some walk and still others ride bicycles.

There is more fault in the Hominina clade than in his blade.

Todd.

[Gliderjohn]

Quotes:
"Quote
is soon a fool blown riot.

  Freudian slip?"

Well I am not sure if it was me or the spell check but I did see it before I submitted and sort of shrugged my shoulders thinking it fits better than my original word so hit post.
GliderJohn

[Chuck in Indiana]

Quotes:
"Quote
is soon a fool blown riot.

  Freudian slip?"

Well I am not sure if it was me or the spell check but I did see it before I submitted and sort of shrugged my shoulders thinking it fits better than my original word so hit post.
GliderJohn

Many times, our subconscious gives us a better word..

[cloudbase]

Well, well, well. . .

 A weekend brawl at a Denver motorcycle show that left one dead and seven others injured was between a club of off-duty law enforcement and another group, lawyers for both biker organizations said Sunday.

The groups are blaming each other for the clash that happened early Saturday afternoon at the crowded Colorado Motorcycle Expo, where members of motorcycle clubs from across the country had gathered. Three of the wounded were hit by gunfire. Another person was stabbed and three others suffered injuries from a fistfight, police said.

The violence started when members of the Iron Order Motorcycle Club, made up of predominantly law enforcement officers, were jumped by members of the Mongols Motorcycle Club, said John C. Whitfield, an attorney representing Iron Order and a member himself.

But Las Vegas attorney Stephen Stubbs, who represents the Mongols, said it was Iron Order members who instigated the alcohol-fueled brawl by taunting them into an argument that led to the deadly shooting of a Mongols member.

[canuguzzi]

What laws ? In 47 years of riding I have only faced real discrimination a couple of times , once at a high end in hotel in Colorado , and once a waitress in a restaurant along I 40 acted kind of weird .

 Dusty

Goodness, just where do you think many laws come from if not those who attribute the actons of the few to the many?

You're serious?

[oldbike54]

Goodness, just where do you think many laws come from if not those who attribute the actons of the few to the many?

You're serious?

 Are you serious ? Specifically what laws have been enacted re motorbikes . There are some ordinances in fancy subdivisions , and maybe some goofy local ordinances , but those aren't laws . I can still ride anywhere only restricted by the same laws that apply to cars . Noise ordinances are also universal , as are any other laws I can think of . Hell , seat belt laws are universal , but not helmet laws .

 Dusty

[LowRyter]

CB- Iron Order? 

You're saying there is LEO Outlaw Biker Club?


Well f#ck me.   

[wymple]

"Boob jobbed, bleached blonde leather biker girl "

And where, pray tell, is the problem with that?

[cloudbase]

CB- Iron Order? 

You're saying there is LEO Outlaw Biker Club?


Well f#ck me.   

I'm not sayin' it.  ABC News is.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/attorney-fatality-member-motorcycle-club-36627776

[Rough Edge racing]

 It'll be forgotten about in a few days...Americans are preoccupied with other matters right now

[oldbike54]

 Hmm , always thought the "A" stood for Arlington 

 Dusty

[canuguzzi]

Are you serious ? Specifically what laws have been enacted re motorbikes . There are some ordinances in fancy subdivisions , and maybe some goofy local ordinances , but those aren't laws . I can still ride anywhere only restricted by the same laws that apply to cars . Noise ordinances are also universal , as are any other laws I can think of . Hell , seat belt laws are universal , but not helmet laws .

 Dusty

Umm, lots of laws. You think that when it comes to motorbikes that everyone suddenly sees everything different? Go back and read the thread, you got lost in some narrow vision thing.

Since you might have forgotten: "The laws regarding many things shows that to be wishful thinking"

Like I said, narrow focus usually misses the point.

Like when some person trying to eat at an outdoor place says " stupid motorcycles" when some neanderthal revs up his straight pipe bike. Plenty see this as more than deranged fools.

[oldbike54]

Pretty funny Mr. D Sometimes you just have to have the mussel..sweatiest guy in the world.
Its been a long day.
m  :-)

 Your little brother weighed just about as much as our combined weight , at least in 1970 

  Dusty

[segesta]

I just found it sadly amusing to see these douchebags--or as South Park would call them, fags--riding clean $35,000 motorcycles but wearing colors that make them look like tough 1%ers fighting the Man. Insert 'eyes rolling' here.

Aside: That said, I wonder if we'll ever hear the truth about the recent Waco biker shootings. That was covered up so much that I only assume that many or all of the bullets came from the cops' guns.