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Posted on 03/30/2007 12:26:53 PM PDT by martin_fierro
Hells Angels prepare birthday celebration By KIM CURTIS
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - The Hells Angels motorcycle club, which in the 1960s became synonymous with the U.S. outlaw biker counterculture, plans to celebrate its 50th birthday this weekend, and police are putting extra officers on duty. But police downplayed the chance for trouble.
The club's Oakland chapter is best known for providing security at a 1969 Rolling Stones concert during which a Hells Angel member killed a fan, an incident captured in the 1970 documentary "Gimme Shelter."
George Christie, the group's Ventura chapter president, said the party is drawing members from all over the world.
"I anticipate it's going to be one of the biggest events the club has had," he said. "I just think everybody's in a festive mood."
Even so, the concert "stigma" still follows the group, he said. The Hells Angels, including Barger, were given free beer to help keep fans from rushing the stage. When a shouting match erupted as The Rolling Stones played, fan Meredith Hunter pulled a gun and was stabbed by Hells Angel member Alan Passaro.
Passaro, who died in 1985, was acquitted after claiming self-defence.
The Hells Angels, which formed in 1948, organizes motorcycle runs all over the world and takes part in charitable events such as Christmas toy drives, but it has a long history linking it to methamphetamine distribution, prostitution and violence.
Earlier this month, 11 chapter members were sentenced to prison in connection with a deadly brawl with rival Mongols biker gang members in a Nevada casino in 2002. However, federal charges against three dozen other members were dismissed after prosecutors failed to prove the club was a criminal enterprise similar to the Mafia.
The Oakland chapter was founded by Ralph "Sonny" Barger, 68, who served time in federal prison for conspiring to blow up the clubhouse of a rival biker gang, the Outlaws.
He has since become a best-selling author, but his lawyer said he was unavailable to comment and refused to give details of the weekend's events, describing it as a "private party."
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Oddly, I won't be attending.
Yeah, I have other plans, too.
Party poopers!
HEY.... GOTTA make this one....
I am sure my quick little sport tourer will fit right in... 
The full flip-face helmet, gloves, joe-rocket riding duds...
Ya gotta know the Hell's Angels will think this stuff is so waaaay cool...
(I s'pect these guys prolly eat sport bikes for breakfast...)
What a country...
(I s'pect these guys prolly eat sport bikes for breakfast...)
What do you mean?? Nothing that they ride holds a candle to that ST. Not even close.....
The majority of the Hells Angels wouldn't care. I fit in on a FJR at the Myrtle Beach Rallies.
Its the 1%ers that would give you a hard time.
But thats OK. If they wanted you, they couldn't catch you on that bike.
My friend speaks the truth...
Mine would....
I think 50 percent of the Hell's Angels are 1 percenters.
JOISEE, wheredahell you been.
I know you got that S&S engine, but an FJR has 146hp and weighs 560lbs.
(and its a slow sportbike)
Been internet cut off. Work blocked it for a while.
You'll be missed, along with those cute little sandwiches and cookies you always bring.
Missed ya......
Come visit the campers sometime. We been wondering about you.
They weren't able to prove "criminal enterprise" on the Nevada shooting, but they were able to get it on the Fresno chapter in a few years ago. It was a landmark case that will enable law enforcement to seek gang enhancement on future prosecutions.
I'm comin'...
LOL!
It's always so predictable when the O's or HA's show up, everybody leaves!
So by throwing their own party they're already there when you get there. :-)
And after you buy in, buy the 50/50 (don't even bother to look at your tickets, you're not staying), shop a vender, buy a beer,,,, leaving is a very good idea.
Have to wonder if my dad was still alive if he would attend. He rode with the Oakland boys right after WWII. Mom has some momentos to prove it. There are all sorts of stories about him and his Indian. That said, he sort of wandered away from it and did other things (Army officer, medical doctor).
Really? I also do the sport touring thing (Concours). Yet to find a cruiser that can keep up, esp in the twisties. Its a different bike for a different style of riding.
50th birthday?
Began in 1948?
How come I'm 54, and I was born in 1952?
"But Bob! Maybe we should stop and get a tatto
first. You know, so we'll blend in!"
I have a red scooter. Does that count? I also have chaps. Oh wait...nevermind.
1952 was a leap year.
As you get older, the ability to comprehend difficult mathmatical computations is among the first to go.
Hey, what a perfect choice for poll watchers for the next election. Then, as a reward for their faithful service, we can appoint them as our official U.N. ambassadors.
If it scares the crap out of Pelosi, I'm all for it! :-)
:-)
I am still confused; but I just don't care.
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