Bikers protest recently cancelled motorcycle event
The Staff of Clutch and Chrome
May 7th 2008
Grayslake
Village officials faced angry citizens and upset bikers in
Illinois yesterday over its recent
last moment cancellation of
a motorcycle event with an expected attendance of 40,000.
About thirty
bikers and supporters attended the village board meeting to
complain about Mayor Timothy Perry's decision to cancel a
motorcycle show due to security concerns over rival
motorcycle clubs anticipated to attend the event.
Some of the
speakers were skeptical of the given reason for the
cancellation of the Ironhorse Roundup Bike Show, which was
scheduled for Sunday at the Lake County Fairgrounds.
Officials claim the Illinois State Police's Statewide
Terrorism and Intelligence Center indicated members of the
Outlaws motorcycle club, identified as an international
criminal organization, planned to attend the show.
Seven bands,
vendors and a motorcycle blessing was booked and arranged
when a needed permit was withdrawn two days before the
event.
Local ABATE
representatives filed a Freedom of Information request
demanding documents with details about the cited threat and
the threat of a class action suit against Grayslake by the
event organizer Mark Khayat was mentioned during the
meeting. |
