Bikers move 'Sink Swanton' rally because of rain threat [Waco]

Waco Herald-Tribune ^ | November 13. 2015 | TOMMY WITHERSPOON

[don-o]

The time and location of a biker rally aimed at throttling Waco police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton’s campaign for McLennan County sheriff have been changed.

The “Sink Swanton” gathering will now be at 11:30 a.m. Sunday at the American Legion Post 121 at 722 Leroy Parkway in Elm Mott.

The rally previously had been set for Sunday morning at the McLennan County Courthouse parking lot on Washington Avenue but the threat of inclement weather forced the event to move, organizers said.

The rally is being organized by Mel Moss, 67, a Vietnam-era veteran from Tarrant County and co-founder and president of the Sons of Liberty Riders, a group of veterans. Besides being a motorcycle enthusiast, he describes himself as a political activist and says he has worked with legislators to draft new laws regarding biker safety.

“He brought this on himself,” Moss said. “We already know Swanton is going to moan about the outsiders coming to town to campaign against him. That’s his fault. He has publicly slandered every motorcyclist and branded us all as criminals.

“Bikers and clubs are now being harassed and treated as criminals, not only in Texas but across the nation, including veterans, Christian motorcycle ministries and charitable biker groups.”

Swanton deferred comment on the rally until afterward.

This is the fourth rally of bikers in McLennan County since the deadly May 17 shootout between rival groups at Twin Peaks in Waco.

Nine bikers died and more than 20 were wounded in the altercation.

A McLennan County grand jury indicted 106 bikers on first-degree felony engaging in organized criminal activity charges on Tuesday for their alleged roles in the shootout.

Swanton served as police department spokesman after the incident and has drawn the ire of bikers and their supporters for some of his comments.

Swanton is running against Sheriff Parnell McNamara and Willie Tompkins in the Republican primary for sheriff.

McNamara said his deputies were poised to stand by at the rally when it was being held on county property. However, since it was moved to private property, he will have deputies on patrol in the area and on standby in case they are needed.

“So far, all the other rallies have been peaceful and we don’t look for anything to happen this time,” McNamara said.

[JJ_Folderol]

So what are the odds that the Twin Peaks massacre was only supposed to be pre-election political theatre for Swineton’s run for sheriff?

[Cboldt]

-- what are the odds that the Twin Peaks massacre was only supposed to be pre-election political theatre for Swineton's run for sheriff? --

Minuscule. Much more likely that he's just another lying opportunist snake.

[bgill]

Good effort but bad logistics. The courthouse is closed on Sundays so no one would have seen them and moving it to the American Legion is even more out of the public’s eye. OTOH, being off the beaten path may be good for public safety if/when the LEOs decide to go for another massacre.

Swanton is a disgrace.