It's Not Justice...It's Just-Us!

Just a couple of years ago, Washington State became the first state in the union to pass a 'Biker Anti-Profiling Law'.  But, it seems like some of the police departments in the state just didn't get the memo.  Or they just don't give a damn about it.  The most recent case in point is the Yakima Police Departments decision to mandate exclusion of anyone wearing 'Motorcycle Club/Organization and Supporter shirts" into the Smoke Out Choke Out being held for the 9th year in Yakima.

Since the fact that the law clearly states " For the purposes of this section, "motorcycle profiling" means the illegal use of the fact that a person rides a motorcycle or wears motorcycle-related paraphernalia as a factor in deciding to stop and question, take enforcement action, arrest, or search a person or vehicle with or without a legal basis under the United States Constitution or Washington state Constitution."  A reasonably intelligent person would consider excluding anyone wearing the aforementioned patches and shirts as taking 'enforcement action' against people simply for wearing "motorcycle related paraphernalia".  Because they included 'organizations' in the restriction, one would conclude that they are mandating the exclusion of members of; A.B.A.T.E., the MRF, the AMA, H.O.G., Goldwing Road Riders, or even the Bikers For Christ.  

Whether you are a member of one of the 1% Clubs, or even just a supporter of one, or a member of any motorcycle 'organization'.  The Yakima PD just mandated your exclusion from an event in their city.  Not because of anything you may have done, but simply because of what you wear.

Open your eyes people.  This is the police violating the law they are sworn to enforce.  Once again, a law enforcement agency in Washington State is violating and openly ignoring state law.  Discriminating against a group of people simply on the basis of what they are wearing.  If they are allowed to do this to us, where will it stop?  What law will they decide to ignore next?

Here is a photo of the announcement from the promotors of Smokeout Chokeout 9 with their explanation of the problem.  I fully expect one of two things to happen in July.  Either the event will be inundated with the excluded groups, or there will be a crushing drop in attendance.  If it is the latter, I hope the 'City Fathers' of Yakima realize the money their PD just excluded from flowing into the cities coffers.  

Now here is the email address for the Yakima City Manager, Tony O'Rourke:  tony.orourke@yakimawa.gov
Let's fill his inbox with emails informing him how the cities PD is in flagrant violation of RCW 43.101.419, the Motorcycle Profiling Law.  Explain to him the money that won't be spent in Yakima because of his cities PD unlawfully excluding tax paying citizens from attending an annual event simply on the basis of what they are wearing.  Discrimination based on a persons attire.  

The Yakima PD is taking "enforcement action" against an entire class of individuals simply based on their wearing certain 'motorcycle paraphernalia'.  This is discrimination pure and simple, and should be opposed in any legal way possible.  If we don't do it now, it won't be law enforcement saying it is justice...they'll be saying it is 'just us'!!

Catch you on the road sometime...