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===Notes===
===Books, News Articles, Notes and Referrences===
* Thompson, Hunter S. ''Hell's Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs''. New York: Random House, 1966; Ballantine Books, 1996 (ISBN 0-345-41008-4)
* Thompson, Hunter S. ''Hell's Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs''. New York: Random House, 1966; Ballantine Books, 1996 (ISBN 0-345-41008-4)
* Barger, Sonny; Zimmerman, Keith; and Zimmerman, Kent ''Hell's Angels: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club''. HarperCollins (ISBN 0060937548)
* Barger, Sonny; Zimmerman, Keith; and Zimmerman, Kent ''Hell's Angels: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club''. HarperCollins (ISBN 0060937548)
* Winterhalder, Edward ''Out In Bad Standings; Inside The Bandidos Motorcycle Club''. Blockhead City Press 2005 USA (ISBN 0977174700)
* [http://www.blockheadcity.com/outbadbook.htm Out In Bad Standings; Inside The Bandidos Motorcycle Club by Edward Winterhalder, Blockhead City Press 2005 USA](ISBN 0977174700)
* Sher, Julian and Marsden, William ''The Road to Hell : How the Biker Gangs are Conquering Canada'', Random House, 2004 (ISBN 0676975992)
* Sher, Julian and Marsden, William ''The Road to Hell : How the Biker Gangs are Conquering Canada'', Random House, 2004 (ISBN 0676975992)
* Sher, Julian and Marsden, William ''Angels of Death; Inside the Bikers' Global Crime Empire'', Knopf Canada, 2006 (ISBN 0676977308)
* Sher, Julian and Marsden, William ''Angels of Death; Inside the Bikers' Global Crime Empire'', Knopf Canada, 2006 (ISBN 0676977308)

Revision as of 19:49, 17 September 2007

For other uses, see the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.
Hells Angels New York City

The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) is a controversial, world-wide, one-percenter motorcycle club whose members traditionally ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The HAMC epitomizes the term motorcycle club and it has many supporters and detractors. In the United States, and Canada, the Hells Angels are incorporated as the Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation.

History

Formed in 1948 in Fontana, California, the name "Hells Angels" was inspired by the name of the U.S. Air Force 303rd Bombardment Groups, a military unit formed in the early years of World War II.

The Hells Angels make strenuous attempts to dispel the myth that there is any connection, other than the name, between the HAMC and the historic military Hell's Angel. Their official website clarifies that the name was suggested to the founders of the club by a friend of theirs, Arvid Olsen, who was a member of the Flying Tigers squadron from the 303rd Group. No actual members of that squadron became members of the HAMC.[1]

Some of the early history of the HAMC is not clear, and accounts differ. According to Ralph 'Sonny' Barger, early chapters of the club were founded in San Francisco, Gardena, Fontana, and other places, independently of one another, with the members usually being unaware that there were other Hells Angels clubs. Another story has it that the Hells Angels in San Francisco were originally organized in 1953 by Rocky Graves, a Hells Angel member from San Bernardino ("Berdoo"). This implies that the "Frisco" Hells Angels were very much aware of their forebears in direct contradiction to Bargers account. Another notable early work on the Angels was by Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson. In his 1966 book entitled Hell's Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, which was expanded from an original 1965 article for The Nation, he spent a year in close quarters with group.

The "Frisco" Hells Angels were reorganized in 1955 with thirteen charter members; Frank Sadliek, who designed the current deaths head logo, served as President. The first Oakland group, ca. 1956, before Sonny was involved, had the name "Green Tanks" as the lower rocker jacket patch. Green Tanks is a section of Oakland.[citation needed]

Insignia

File:Hells-angels-logo.jpg
Hells Angels jacket with logo (Smithsonian Institution)
File:HA One Percenter.jpg
'One Percenter' Patch for the Hells Angels
File:HA Haarlem01.jpg
'Haarlem' Chapter patch, with 'Hells Angels' designator

The Hells Angels official web site states unequivocally that Frank Sadliek, past president of the San Francisco Chapter, HAMC, designed the official "Deathshead" insignia.[1] It may be that he found the design on an existing artwork - however this is unverified.

The colors and shape for the jacket emblem, which existed before 1953, is confirmed by the HAMC web site, to be copied from the insignias of the 85th Fighter Squadron and the 552nd Medium Bomber Squadron.[1]

The Hells Angels utilise a patch system, similar to a military medal. The literal symbolic meaning of each patch is not publicly known, but it identifies specific or significant actions or beliefs of each biker[2]. The official colors of the Hells Angels are red lettering displayed on a white background, which is the derivation of the clubs alias as "The Red and White". These patches are worn on leather or denim jackets and vests, called 'cuts', so called due to the removal or 'cutting' of the collars and cuffs from the clothing item.

Red and white is also used to display the number 81, on many of their patches, such as "Support 81, Route 81". The 8 and 1 stand for their equivalent position in the alphabet, thus the 8th letter of the alphabet is H, and the first is A, together reading HA, Hells Angels.

Also in use is the 'One-percenter' patch, a rhombus shaped patch labeled, simply, with '1%'. The patch displays a white background with red letters and a red merrowed border (refer to image at right, top). The patch, and subsequent term, was in response to the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) comment on the Hollister incident and their statement that 99% of motorcyclists were law-abiding citizens, and the last one percent were outlaws.

Most members wear a rectangular patch (again, white background with red letters and a red merrowed border) identifying their respective chapter locations. Another, similar designed patch reads "Hells Angels" (refer to image at right, lower).

When applicable, members of the club wear a patch denoting their position / rank within the organization. The patch is rectangular, and, similarly to the patches described above, displays a white background with red letters and a red merrowed border. Some examples of the titles used are President, Secretary and Sergeant at Arms. This patch is usually worn above the 'club location' patch.

Some members also wear a patch with the initials "AFFA", which stands for "Angels Forever; Forever Angels", referring to the lifelong membership in the biker club (ie. "once a member, always a member").

The book Gangs is written by Tony Thompson, a crime correspondent for The Observer newspaper. In it he states that Stephen Cunningham, a member of the Angels, travelled to Southampton in April 1991 and attempted to plant a bomb beneath a car belonging to a rival gang member. The device exploded early, tearing off his right hand. After he recovered from the incident and rejoined the circuit he sported a new patch: two Nazi-style SS lightning bolts below the words 'Filthy Few'. In Ralph Barger's biography he explains 'Filthy Few' means someone is the first to arrive at a party and the last to leave. However, in reality the patch is only awarded to those who have, or are prepared to, murder on behalf of the club.

There is no common convention as to where the patches are located on the members' jacket/vest.

Membership

According to the US Department of Justice, HAMC members must be Caucasian, Hispanic, or Asian males over 21 years of age and are required to own a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Individuals, after a lengthy, phased process, are first deemed to be a 'Hang-around', wherein an individual is invited to some club events or meets club members at known gathering places. If the Hang-around is interested, they may be asked to become a member, being called an 'Associate', which usually lasts a year or two. After approximately another year, they are reclassified as 'Prospect', participating in some club activities, but not having voting privileges, while they are evaluated for suitability as full members. The last phase, and highest membership status, is 'Full Membership' or 'Full-Patch'.[3] The term Full-Patch refers to the complete three-piece crest, including the 'Deaths Head' logo and two rockers (top rocker: 'Hells Angels'; bottom rocker: Club location). Prospects are only allowed to wear a bottom rocker with the word 'Prospect'.

To become a full member, the Prospect must be voted on by the rest of the full club members. Successful admission usually requires more than a simple majority, and some clubs may reject a Prospect for a single dissenting vote. Some form of formal induction follows, wherein the Prospect affirms his loyalty to the club and its members. The final logo patch (bottom location rocker) is then awarded at this initiation ceremony. The step of attaining full membership can be referred to as "being patched".

Official Charters

The first official charter outside of the USA was formed in New Zealand in 1961.

The HAMC acknowledges more than a hundred charters which are spread over 29 countries, globally. A comprehensive list of recognised charters can be found on the HAMC club's official web site[4]

HAMC London

The Hells Angels London credit their founding on the Beatles. They report that the Beatles invited a couple of members of the HAMC San Francisco, to London, following which it was decided to create English charters of the club.

Two charters were issued on July 30th, 1969, after members of a local motorcycle club completed a period of apprenticeship with the HAMC, referred to as being a "prospect". The newly initiated members returned to London to lead the South London and East London HAMC charters.

The London charters were the first official HAMC charters in Europe, followed by Zurich in 1970.

In 1973 the two charters amalgamated, becoming the HAMC London charter.[5]

Activities

The Hells Angels motorcycle club is often viewed as the epitome of the biker counterculture of the 1960s. The club is centered around a culture of motorcycling enthusiasts and on their web site, state the prerequisite that members' principal mode of transport has to be a motorcycle. The website continue to state that members travel on average 20,000 miles a year, come rain or shine.[6]

The club culture revolves around social events such as undertaking trips as a group, parties and rallies. Most chapters have information on upcoming and past events on their web sites.

Although the club make strenuous attempts to deny any organised criminal activity on a club level, public perception of a lawless, violent organisation is often supported by widespread media coverage of club members' criminal activity. Canadian authors William Marsden and Julian Sher further accentuated this view in their book: Angels of Death: Inside the Bikers' Global Crime Empire

Far less publicized than organised crime links, is the substantial amount of organized charity undertaken by The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club internationally.[7][8]

Rumours, notoriety and controversy

The Hells Angels have shrouded themselves in a cloud of mystery and controversy, thanks to a very strict code of secrecy between members, which can be construed as a deliberate mythologizing by some members of the club. Members don't use last names, even with one another. They just use a first name, and, more often than not, only a nickname.

Coupled with its colorful history and undeniable, confirmed links of some of its members to crime, speculation and rumour about the club's activities is rife.

The Hells Angels are depicted either as modern day legends, free spirited and iconic of an era of brotherhood and loyalty, or a violent criminal gang which is a scourge on society. Accordingly, public opinion, fuelled by the world media, varies from respect and hero worship, to deep loathing. [9]

Members' Reported Involvement with Crime

United States United States

California California

Altamont

Perhaps the most notorious event in Hells Angels history involved the December 6, 1969, Altamont Free Concert at the Altamont Speedway — partially documented in the 1970 film Gimme Shelter[10] — featuring Jefferson Airplane, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and The Rolling Stones. The Angels had been hired as crowd security for a fee which was said to include $500 worth of beer. A shoving match erupted near the stage during a rendition of the song "Under My Thumb" (not, as is commonly thought, "Sympathy for the Devil"). A concert patron by the name of Meredith Hunter, after brandishing a handgun and charging the stage, was stabbed to death. Hunter fired his weapon, striking a Hells Angels member with what Sonny Barger later described as "just a flesh wound." A Hells Angel member, Alan Passaro, was later acquitted of murder on grounds of self-defense. Don McLean later alluded to the event in his classic "American Pie".[11]

After the concert and critical media attention given to the HAMC, Sonny Barger went on a local California radio station to justify the actions of the Hells Angels and to present their side of the story. He claimed that violence only started once the crowd began vandalizing the Hells Angels' motorcycles.[citation needed]

Nevada Nevada

River Run Riot

The River Run Riot occurred on April 27, 2002, at the Harrah's Casino & Hotel in Laughlin, Nevada. Members of the Hells Angels and the Mongols motorcycle clubs stabbed and shot at each other on the casino floor; as a result, Mongol Anthony Barrera, 43, was stabbed to death, and two Hells Angels, Jeramie Bell, 27, and Robert Tumelty, 50, were shot to death. On February 23, 2007, Hells Angel members James Hannigan and Rodney Cox were sentenced to two years in prison. Cox and Hannigan were captured on videotape confronting members of the rival Mongols motorcycle club inside the casino. A Hells Angel member can be clearly seen on the casino security videotape performing a front kick on a Mongol biker member which in turn started the ensuing melee.

Attorneys for the group claim they were defending themselves from an attack initiated by the Mongols.

Charges were dismissed against 36 other Hells Angels originally named in the indictment. [12]

New York (state) New York

Roberta Shalaby assault

On Sunday, January 28, 2007, a woman named Roberta Shalaby was found badly beaten on the sidewalk outside the Hells Angels' clubhouse in New York City. The resulting investigation by the NYPD has been criticized by the group for its intensity. The police were refused access to the Hells Angels club-house and responded by closing off the area, setting up sniper positions, and sending in armored personnel carriers.[13] After obtaining a warrant, the police searched the club-house and arrested one Hells Angel who was later released. The group claims to have no connection with the beating of Roberta Shalaby. Five security cameras cover the entrance to the New York chapter's East 3rd Street club house, but the NY HAMC maintains nobody knows how Shalaby was beaten nearly to death at their front door.[14]

Canada Canada

The Vancouver Sun newspaper reports that Canada has more Hells Angels members per capita than any other country, including the U.S., where there are chapters in about 20 states.[15]

Lindsay & Bonner Trial

In 2002, Crown Prosecutor Graeme Williams sought to have the Hells Angels formally declared a "criminal organization" by applying the anti-gang legislation (Bill C-24)[16] to a criminal prosecution, involving the Hells Angels and two of its members, Stephen (Tiger) Lindsay and Raymond (Razor) Bonner.

The prosecution team launched a three year investigation with the aim of collecting evidence for the trial.

On conclusion of the trial in June 2005, Ontario Justice Michelle Fuerst ruled that Lindsay and Bonner had committed extortion in association with a criminal organization and used the Hells Angels’ reputation as a weapon.[17].[18]

Ontario Ontario

Downtown Toronto Hells Angels Clubhouse, Ontario

The downtown Toronto Hells Angels clubhouse, located at 498 Eastern Ave., was served with a restraining order from Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Attorney General of Canada, on March 14, 2007. The order restrains and manages the property under s. 14(3) and s. 14.1 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and s. 490.8 and s. 490.81 of the Criminal Code of Canada.[19] This order, posted on the torontofokus.com website eleven days before the raid, is an unprecedented revelation, according to a Toronto lawyer who once defended two Hells Angels members.[20]

On April 4, 2007, raids were executed by the Biker Enforcement Unit, the Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit, and the Toronto Police Services, where the downtown Hells Angels clubhouse at the 498 Eastern Ave. location was appropriated by police and many arrests were made. Police seized nearly 500 litres of GHB, more than nine kilograms of cocaine, and more than 80 weapons including rifles, shotguns, a police baton and three sets of brass knuckles. They also seized close to $1 million in vehicles and property and $500,000 in cash.[21] Police are currently planning a large crackdown on the Hells Angels in the Greater Toronto Area. More than twenty locations across the GTA are currently under strict surveillance.[22]

Project Tandem

A major bust of the Ontario Hells Angels, code-named Project Tandem, occurred in the early morning of September 28, 2006. One source is quoted as stating in a Toronto Star article titled "Police target Hells Angels Inc." that the operation was the most effective one ever initiated against the bikers.[23] In a related story, the CBC News service stated that Toronto hosts the highest concentration of Hells Angels in the world.[24] According to the police, during this bust, fifteen Hells Angels were arrested, and the following assets were seized: weapons, motor vehicles, and currency. As well as these alleged proceeds of crime,[25] police also seized controlled substances including: 13 kilograms of cocaine, 50,000 ecstasy pills, 23 kilograms of marijuana and about two kilograms each of hashish and crystal meth.[26]

Quebec Quebec

Maurice Boucher (aka Mom) is the alleged leader of the Quebec chapters and head of the Nomad chapter, a chapter with no fixed geographic base. He is currently in prison, having been convicted on two counts of first-degree murder. In May 2002, Boucher received an automatic life sentence, with no possibility of parole for at least 25 years.[27]

Hells Angels North Chapter

The now-defunct Hells Angels North Chapter was based in Laval, just north of Montréal. The group was formed on September 14, 1979, when members left the Montréal Chapter.

The North Chapter was infamous even amongst its counterparts for its reputation for violence, wild behaviour, and constant drug use. So much friction arose that the other Quebec Hells factions decided to liquidate the group. Members of the North Chapter were lured to a "church meeting", where they were killed, wrapped in sleeping bags, and dumped in the St. Lawrence River. Others were allowed to live and assimilated into the Montréal Chapter.[28]

British Columbia British Columbia

Project E-Pandora

In late 2004 to 2005, the culmination of investigations into the actions of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gang led to charges against 45 Hell's Angels and other associates of the gang, including 17 full-patch Hell's Angels members, and a chapter president.[29] One of the investigations which brought the majority of arrests, and created a significant media impact, was Project E-Pandora[30], a 23 month covert investigation. The investigative task force for Project E-Pandora was launched in August 2003, and involved the RCMP, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-BC) and the Vancouver Police Department.[31] The project concluded with 12 search warrants and the arrests of 17 and charges of 18 individuals.[30]

In total, investigators seized[30]:

1 - in excess of 20 kilograms of methamphetamine

2 - in excess of 20 kilograms of cocaine

3 - in excess of 70 kilograms of marijuana

4 - Restricted and Prohibited Weapons which include 5 Handguns, fully automatic weapons including silencers, 11 sticks of dynamite with detonation cord and blasting caps, 4 grenades and an assortment of ammunition

5 - in excess of $200,000 Canadian currency

6 - 250 kilograms of Methylamine (a precursor for the production of ecstasy)

7 - 2 methamphetamine laboratories

Due to the success of Project E-Pandora, based in large part on the tone and focus of news media stories, the province’s general public now make a direct connection between the motorbike gang and organized crime.[31]

Joint Investigations

Other joint investigations include Project Develop[32], a joint 18-month investigation with Ontario, New Brunswick, and British Columbia; In January 2006, Project Husky[33], a two-year investigation involving police forces in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta, resulted in the arrest of twenty-seven suspects,[34] including five full-patch Angels from across Eastern and Central Canada.; and Project Koker[35], 23-month investigation in Edmonton and Calgary.

Trivia

Wild Hogs

In March 2006, the Hells Angels sued Walt Disney Co. for allegedly engaging in trademark infringement. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court of California, alleged that the Disney film entitled Wild Hogs used both the name and distinctive logo of the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Corporation without permission. The movie, released in 2007 and starring John Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence, and William H. Macy, is described on the Internet Movie Database as "A group of suburban biker wannabes hit the open road in search of adventure, but get more than they bargained for when they encounter a New Mexico gang called the Del Fuegos."

Celebrity members

While membership in the Hells Angels are kept confidential, some celebrities have publicly acknowledged their affiliation with the club. Actor Chuck Zito, best known for his role on the HBO series Oz, was a member. [36]

Pop culture references

References

  1. ^ a b c Hells Angels Official Web Site: History, http://www.hells-angels.com/history.htm
  2. ^ Gangs; A Journey into the heart of the British Underworld, Tony Thompson (journalist) (2004) ISBN 0-340-83053-0
  3. ^ NDIC Document, US Department of Justice Report on OMG HA
  4. ^ http://www.hells-angels.com/charters.htm
  5. ^ http://www.hellsangelslondon.com/history.php HAMC London Web Site
  6. ^ http://www.hells-angels.com/faq.htm Hells Angels FAQ page
  7. ^ http://www.motorcyclemonster.com/Events/description_pages/12-17-06-hells-angels-toy.htm
  8. ^ http://www.gazette.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/article-en.html?&lang_id=1&article_id=228
  9. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/this_world/3311057.stm BBC
  10. ^ IMDB, Gimmer Shelter (1970), accessed February 28, 2007
  11. ^ Adams, Cecil. "What is Don McLean's song 'American Pie' all about?" Straight Dope. May 14, 1993. Retrieved on September 25, 2006.
  12. ^ Hells Angels get prison terms, accessed March 29, 2007
  13. ^ http://www.amny.com/news/local/am-hell013107,0,7706581.story
  14. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/01/nyregion/01angels.html?ref=nyregion
  15. ^ The Vancouver Sun (June 10, 2005), B.C.'s Hells Angels: Rich and Powerful
  16. ^ http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?pub=bill&doc=C-24&parl=37&ses=1&language=E
  17. ^ http://www.canlii.org/on/cas/onsc/2005/2005onsc14135.html R. v. Lindsay, 2005
  18. ^ RCMP Gazette, Behind the anti-gang law
  19. ^ Toronto Fokus, http://www.torontofokus.com/order.html
  20. ^ Lawyer shocked by possible biker raid leak
  21. ^ [1]
  22. ^ CityNews article (April 4, 2007), Fallen Angels
  23. ^ The Star
  24. ^ http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2006/09/28/raids-gangs.html
  25. ^ http://www.canlii.org/ca/sta/c-46/sec462.3.html
  26. ^ Yahoo
  27. ^ CBC News, Mom Boucher guilty of murder
  28. ^ Wiseguy Wally, Yves "Apache" Trudeau
  29. ^ '45 Charged', Vancouver Sun: 45 Hells Angles Charged
  30. ^ a b c 'E-Pandora', Project E-Pandora News Release
  31. ^ a b RCMP Gazette, Winning the PR war.
  32. ^ 'Project Develop', 'Project Develop' 40 HA locations raided
  33. ^ 'Project Husky', 'Project Husky' arrests 27 Hells Angels members
  34. ^ http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/01/19/biker-busts20060119.html
  35. ^ 'Project Koker', Eighteen Charged in 'Project Koker'
  36. ^ http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/4122/gatti-angels-chuck-zito

Books, News Articles, Notes and Referrences

  • Thompson, Hunter S. Hell's Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs. New York: Random House, 1966; Ballantine Books, 1996 (ISBN 0-345-41008-4)
  • Barger, Sonny; Zimmerman, Keith; and Zimmerman, Kent Hell's Angels: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. HarperCollins (ISBN 0060937548)
  • Out In Bad Standings; Inside The Bandidos Motorcycle Club by Edward Winterhalder, Blockhead City Press 2005 USA(ISBN 0977174700)
  • Sher, Julian and Marsden, William The Road to Hell : How the Biker Gangs are Conquering Canada, Random House, 2004 (ISBN 0676975992)
  • Sher, Julian and Marsden, William Angels of Death; Inside the Bikers' Global Crime Empire, Knopf Canada, 2006 (ISBN 0676977308)
  • Cherry, Paul The Biker Trials: Bringing Down the Hells Angels, ECW Press, 2005 (ISBN 155022638X)
  • Lavigne, Yves Hell's Angels: Taking Care of Business, Ballantine Books, 1994 (ISBN 9994961950)
  • Lavigne, Yves Hell's Angels: Into the Abyss, HarperTorch, 1997 (ISBN 0061011045)
  • Lavigne, Yves Hell's Angels at War, Harper-Collins, 2000 (ISBN 0006385648)
  • Police claim a victory over bikers in Thunder Bay CBC News, Thursday, 19 Jan 2006
  • http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/04/11/biker-war-sher.html?ref=rss

See also

Official sites

Other sites

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