The Hells Angels have launched a last-ditch bid to block a bylaw that bans them from wearing their patches on the streets of Wanganui arguing they are a club, not a gang.
The motorcycle gang, which has a fortified headquarters in the city, said the move would breach the Bill of Rights. It has hired a lawyer to fight Wanganui District Council's bid to become the first city to ban gang insignia.
Five Hells Angels members will argue their case before a council subcommittee on Friday.
In submissions to the council, the bikies wrote:
* "Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is not a gang but a motorcycle club and patch not worn to intimidate but show membership of a club with common interest brotherhood and motorcycling." Shane Bullock
* "I as a member of the Hells Angels `motorcycle club' have been wrongfully and unjustly targeted without merit of resnable grounds, with total disregarde to our club protocol and culture and to be able to wear out club colours as I have done for years." Bevan Parker
"[I seek to be] free to wear my motorcycle colours insignia (etc.) wear ever I want to. Respect that we are a motorcycle club, not a (gang) and we live to ride and ride to live." Robert Britton
The gang is one of 10 whose patches will be banned if the bylaw is passed.
Offenders could be fined up to $2000 and have their patches confiscated if they ignore the rule.
Hells Angels members at the gang's Wanganui headquarters would not comment yesterday।
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2679346/Hells-Angels-fight-patch-ban
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