Bikies campaign online and on Facebook
New South Wales bikies united on July 10 to release a video protesting the government’s anti-association laws.
In the video, bikies compare Australia’s state governments’ anti-association laws, proposed and enacted, to those implemented by Germany in 1935 against Jewish people and South Africa during Apartheid.
The Australian anti-association laws – which are not specific to motorcycle clubs – have been adopted in NSW and South Australia, and are being considered in Western Australia, Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Tasmania.
UMC spokesman, Ferret, said there was a public perception the laws existed to target bikies.
“The irony is that the legislation doesn’t specifically mention motorcycle clubs. We’re convenient, we’re easy to target, and we’re the first cab off the rank,” he said.
“These laws could be used to target any group that the government of the day is opposed to, or decides to target as a political or publicity stunt.
“But, historically, these kinds of laws have been absolute failures and the cause of massive human rights violations. It goes against people’s right to associate, prevents individuals from working in certain professions, and fixes nothing.”
Meanwhile, the South Australian Government’s anti-association campaign was dealt a blow last week when the court threw out a second application for control orders against the Finks Motorcycle Club. Police were ordered to pay the Finks’ legal costs.
“This goes to show the time and money that will be wasted by governments trying to enforce these unfair and unnecessary laws around the country,” Ferret said.
Meanwhile, more than 15,000 people have used social networking site Facebook to express their opposition to the anti-association laws being introduced across Australia.
A group titled “I’m against the anti-bikie legislation” has attracted Australia-wide membership from a diverse group, including politicians and the general public.
The Facebook group was started by Geelong resident Patrick Lawrence, who is not a member of a motorcycle club, but who said he was opposed to the laws on principle.
