Hells Angels

Hells Angels MC
Abbreviation
FoundedMarch 17, 1948; 76 years ago (1948-03-17)[3][4]
FounderOtto Friedli[4]
Founded atFontana, California,
United States[5]
TypeOutlaw motorcycle club
HeadquartersOakland, California,
United States[6]
Region
Worldwide (592 charters in 66 countries)[7]
Membership
6,000[8][9]
Key people
Sonny Barger
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) is an international outlaw motorcycle club whose members typically ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In the United States and Canada, the Hells Angels are incorporated as the Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation. Common nicknames for the club are the "H.A.", "Red & White", and "81".[10] With a membership of over 6,000, and 592 charters in 66 countries, the HAMC is the largest "outlaw" motorcycle club in the world.[8][9][11]

Many Hells Angels members are involved in organized crime, such as drug trafficking, and engage in violent conflict with members of other outlaw motorcycle clubs and organized crime groups. Involvement in organized crime and violence has historically extended to the organization's most senior leadership. Many police and international intelligence agencies, including the United States Department of Justice, the Criminal Intelligence Service Canada, the Australian Federal Police, and Europol, consider the club an organized crime syndicate.[12][13][14][15][16][17][18]

History

The Hells Angels originated on March 17, 1948, in Fontana, California, when several small motorcycle clubs agreed to merge.[19] Otto Friedli, a World War II veteran, is credited with starting the club after breaking from the Pissed Off Bastards motorcycle club over a feud with a rival gang.[20] According to an alternative theory, the Hells Angels were founded on November 15, 1951, in San Bernardino, by Dick White, a member of the Redlands Road Runners.[21][22]

According to its website, the club's name was suggested by Arvid Olsen, an associate of the founders who had served in the "Hell's Angels" squadron of the Flying Tigers in China during World War II.[23] In a letter written to The Guinness Book of World Records by a member on the Hells Angels' behalf, it is instead stated that the club's name was taken from the "Hell's Angels" squadron of the 303rd Bombardment Group, which was active in the European theater of World War II.[24] It is at least clear that the name was inspired by the tradition from World Wars I and II whereby the Americans gave their squadrons fierce, death-defying titles; an example of this lies in one of the three P-40 squadrons of Flying Tigers fielded in Burma and China, which was dubbed "Hell's Angels".[25] In 1930, the Howard Hughes film Hell's Angels showcased extraordinary and dangerous feats of aviation, and it is believed that World War II groups that used that name based it on the film.[20] According to the Hells Angels' website, they are aware that there is an apostrophe missing in "Hells", but "... it is you who miss it. We don't".[26]

This B-17F, tail number 41–24577, was named Hell's Angels after the 1930 Howard Hughes movie about World War I fighter pilots.[27][28]

Some of the HAMC's early history is not clear, and accounts differ. The club's first official charter was reportedly drawn up in Fontana in 1950.[24] Various autonomous Hells Angels charters were formed throughout California in the decade following the club's foundation, by nomadic members who moved from one city to another.[29] The San Francisco ("Frisco") charter was reportedly founded by former members of the Market Street Commandos in 1954. A North Sacramento charter was established in 1956, followed by another charter in Sacramento the following year, which was formed by two brothers, James "Mother" Miles and Pat Miles, who were former members of the Hell Bent for Glory biker club.[30] The Sacramento charter later disbanded and relocated to Richmond as a Nomads chapter in 1965.[31] According to Ralph "Sonny" Barger, founder of the Oakland charter in 1957, other early charters of the club were founded in Gardena, and elsewhere, with the members usually unaware that there were other clubs. One of the lesser-known clubs was in North Chino/South Pomona in the late 1960s. Barger has been credited with helping to unify these various disparate charters under common club bylaws.[32][33][34]

Other sources claim that the San Francisco Hells Angels were organized in 1953 by Rocky Graves, a Hells Angel member from San Bernardino ("Berdoo"), implying that the "Frisco" Hells Angels were very much aware of their forebears.[35] The "Frisco" Hells Angels were reorganized in 1955 with 13 charter members, Frank Sadilek serving as president, and the smaller, original logo. The Oakland charter, at the time headed by Barger, used a larger version of the "Death's Head" patch nicknamed the "Barger Larger", which was first used in 1959. It later became the club standard.[36] The first charter to open outside California was established in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1961.[20]

The Hells Angels are often depicted in semi-mythical romantic fashion like the 19th-century James–Younger Gang: free-spirited, iconic, bound by brotherhood and loyalty. At other times, such as in the 1966 Roger Corman film The Wild Angels, they are depicted as violent and nihilistic, little more than a violent criminal gang and a scourge on society.[37]

The club became prominent within, and established its notoriety as part of, the 1960s counterculture movement in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury District, playing a part at many of the movement's seminal events. Members were directly connected to many of the counterculture's primary leaders, such as Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters, Allen Ginsberg, Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead, Timothy Leary, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Mick Farren, and Tom Wolfe. "Gonzo" journalist Hunter S. Thompson's book about the club launched his career. From 1968 to 1969 the Hells Angels of San Francisco headquarters was at 715 Ashbury (across from the Grateful Dead house at 710 Ashbury).[38][39][40][41][42]

In 1973, members from several branches of the organization protested at an Environmental Protection Agency hearing about a proposed transportation plan that included restrictions on motorcycle use and sales to get California to meet the new Clean Air Act standards.[43]

Insignia

Insignia of the Hells Angels from Karlsruhe charter, with the '1%' patch on the gates

The Hells Angels' official website attributes the official "death's head" insignia design to Frank Sadilek, past president of the San Francisco charter.[44] The colors and shape of the early-style jacket emblem (before 1953) were copied from the insignias of the 85th Fighter Squadron and the 552nd Medium Bomber Squadron.[44]

The Hells Angels have a system of patches similar to military medals. The specific meaning of each patch is not publicly known, but the patches identify each biker's specific or significant actions or beliefs.[45] The official colors of the Hells Angels are red lettering displayed on a white background—hence the club's nickname "The Red and White". The patches are worn on leather or denim jackets and vests.

Red and white are also used to display the number 81 on many patches, as in "Support 81", "Route 81". The 8 and 1 stand for the respective positions in the alphabet of H and A.[46] Friends and supporters of the club use these in deference to club rules, which purport to restrict the wearing of Hells Angels imagery to club members. The diamond-shaped one-percenter patch is also used, displaying "1%" in red on a white background with a red merrowed border. The term "one-percenter" is said to be a response to the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) comment on the Hollister incident to the effect that 99% of motorcyclists were law-abiding citizens and 1% were outlaws. The AMA has no record of such a statement and calls this story apocryphal.[47]

New York Hells Angels patch

Most members wear a rectangular patch (again, white background with red letters and a red merrowed border) identifying their respective charter locations. Another similarly designed patch reads "Hells Angels". When applicable, members of the club wear a patch denoting their position or rank within the organization. The patch is rectangular and, like those described above, displays a white background with red letters and a red merrowed border. Some examples of the titles used are President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sergeant at Arms. This patch is usually worn above the charter location patch. Some members also wear an "AFFA" patch, which stands for "Angels Forever; Forever Angels", referring to their lifelong membership in the club (i.e., "once a member, always a member").

An additional patch worn by select club members consists of two Nazi-style SS lightning bolts below the words "Filthy Few". Some law enforcement officials claim that the "Filthy Few" patch is awarded only to those who have committed or are prepared to commit murder on the club's behalf.[48][49] Hells Angels have denied this interpretation, however, comparing it instead to a merit badge awarded to those who are "the first to arrive at a party and the last to leave".[50] According to reports from law enforcement and prosecutors, another patch similar to the "Filthy Few" patch is the "Dequiallo" patch.[51] "Dequiallo" is a reference to El Degüello, a bugle call played by the regimental band of Antonio López de Santa Anna's army at the Battle of the Alamo.[49] This patch allegedly "signifies that the wearer has fought law enforcement on arrest."[52] There is no common convention as to where the patches are placed on members' jackets/vests.

"Angels Forever, Forever Angels" is also the club's traditional motto.[53] Other Hells Angels slogans include "When we do right, nobody remembers. When we do wrong, nobody forgets";[54] "Three can keep a secret if two are dead";[55] and "When in doubt, knock 'em out", which was coined by New York City charter member Vincent "Big Vinny" Girolamo.[56][57]

Intellectual property rights

The Hells Angels incorporated in 1966, trademarking the club's name and four symbols.[49] The club filed a trademark infringement lawsuit for the first time on October 26, 1989, when the Hells Angels lodged a federal lawsuit in Los Angeles against Concorde-New Horizons, which produced the film Nam Angels, and against Media Home Entertainment, which distributed the film on video, over infringements on the club's registered trademarks.[58][59] The suit was settled out of court.[49]

According to The Globe and Mail, the Hells Angels considered seeking an injunction to block the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation from broadcasting the miniseries The Last Chapter, because of how closely the biker gang at the center of the series resembled the Hells Angels.[60]

In March 2007 the Hells Angels filed suit against the Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group alleging that its film Wild Hogs used both the name and distinctive logo of the HAMC without permission.[61] The suit was eventually voluntarily dismissed[62] after the Angels received assurances from Disney that the references would not appear in the film.[63]

On October 7, 2009, Fritz Clapp, attorney at law for the HAMC, contacted online games community FOCO, demanding the removal of all membership marks and club trademarks from the Los Santos Roleplay Forum, a messageboard for the San Andreas Multiplayer modification for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. While members of the community were skeptical at first, Clapp posted a tweet confirming his identity.[64][65]

In October 2010 the Hells Angels filed a lawsuit against Alexander McQueen for "misusing its trademark winged death heads symbol"[66] in several items from its Autumn/Winter 2010 collection. The lawsuit also aimed at Saks Fifth Avenue and Zappos.com, which stock the jacquard box dress and knuckle duster ring that bear the symbol, which has been used since at least 1948 and is protected by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. A handbag and scarf were also named in the lawsuit.[67] The lawyer representing Hells Angels claimed: "This isn't just about money, it's about membership. If you've got one of these rings on, a member might get really upset that you're an impostor."[68] Saks refused to comment, Zappos had no immediate comment and the company's parent company, PPR, could not be reached for comment.[69] The company settled the case with the Hells Angels after agreeing to remove all of the merchandise featuring the logo from sale on their website, stores and concessions and recalling any goods that had already been sold and destroying them.[70][71][72]

In fall 2012 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Hells Angels sued Toys "R" Us for trademark infringement, unfair competition, and dilution in relation to the sale of yo-yos manufactured by Yomega Corporation, a co-defendant, which allegedly bear the "Death Head" logo. In its complaint,[73] Hells Angels asserted that the mark on the yo-yos would likely lead people to mistakenly believe that the toys originate with Hells Angels. Yomega filed counterclaims against Hells Angels for cancellation of the "Death Head" registrations on grounds of alleged fraud in the procurement of the registrations.[74] The case settled and the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice.

As of December 2013, the Hells Angels sells its branded merchandise at a retail store in Toronto, Ontario.[75]

In 2019, the Hells Angels sued Redbubble in the Federal Court of Australia for infringing on its trademark, launching another suit in 2021 after providing evidence that Redbubble had continued to breach the trademark.[76] The 2019 case concluded with the Hells Angels being awarded $5,000 in damages. In July 2022, in the second ruling against Redbubble, the company was ordered to pay the club more than $78,000.[77]

Membership

Hells Angels
A club member at a biker gathering in Australia, 2008

To become a Hells Angels "prospect", candidates must have a valid driver's license, a motorcycle over 750cc (46 cu in), and "the right combination of personal qualities." It is said the club excludes child molesters and people who have applied to become police or prison officers.[78] Intravenous drug use is also forbidden among club members.[56] Members in North America are required to ride U.S.-built motorcycles; Harley-Davidson bikes are most common in the club, although other American brands, such as Victory and Indian, are also permitted.[79]

After a lengthy, phased process, a prospective member is first deemed a "hang-around", indicating that he is invited to some club events or to meet club members at known gathering places.[46] If the "hang-around" is interested, he may be asked to become an "associate", a status that usually lasts a year or two. At the end of that stage, he is reclassified as "prospect", participating in some club activities, but not having voting privileges while he is evaluated for suitability as a full member. The last phase, and highest membership status, is full membership or "full-patch".[80] The term "full-patch" refers to the complete four-piece insignia, including the "Death Head" logo, two rockers (top rocker: "Hells Angels"; bottom rocker: state or territory claimed) and the rectangular "MC" patch below the wing of the Death's Head. Prospects are allowed to wear only a bottom rocker with the state, province or territory name along with the rectangular "MC" patch.

To become a full member, a "prospect" must be unanimously confirmed by the rest of the full club members.[81] Before votes are cast, a "prospect" usually travels to every charter in the sponsoring charter's geographic jurisdiction (state, province, or territory) and introduces himself to every "full-patch" member. This allows each voting member to become familiar with the "prospect" and ask any questions of concern before voting. Some form of formal induction follows, wherein the "prospect" affirms his loyalty to the club and its members. The final logo patch (top "Hells Angels" rocker) is then awarded at the initiation ceremony. The step of attaining full membership can be called "being patched".

Even after a member is patched in, the patches remain the property of HAMC, not the member. On leaving the Hells Angels or being ejected, a member must return his patches to the club.[82] Members must pay dues, and are required to attend mandatory club meetings and motorcycle runs.[56] Charter meetings, known as "church", are typically held at clubhouses or a member's residence. In 1978, members were required to pay $20 per month to the local charter, and $10 per month to the state charter. The money is used by the club to finance motorcycle runs and funerals, and to fund the travel of club officers to state and national meetings. Hells Angels may become exempt from paying dues after a certain period of time as a member of the club.[24]

Racial policies

The club is not officially a racially segregated organization.[83][84] In the U.S., at least one charter allegedly requires that a candidate be a white male,[85] and Sonny Barger said in a 2000 BBC interview, "The club, as a whole, is not racist but we probably have enough racist members that no black guy is going to get in it."[81] At that time the club had no black members.[81]

A few nonwhite members have been noted in the United States. In 1967, Hunter S. Thompson remarked upon a "Chinese Mel from [San Francisco] and Charley, a young black person from Oakland".[86] Steven Wayne Yee, a Chinese-American member of the Hells Angels' Cleveland charter, was convicted of murder in 1990.[87][88] The Satan's Angels MC in Vancouver had a black member when it merged with the Hells Angels in 1983. The San Francisco and Anchorage charters threatened to have the Vancouver charter expelled from the club when they learned of the situation; the matter was ultimately resolved when the man changed his nationality to "Hawaiian".[89] An unsanctioned Hells Angels charter in Windsor, England was granted official status in 1985 shortly after its only black member, John Mikkelsen, had died in police custody.[90] Another notable is Gregory Woolley, a high-ranking member of the Rockers MC in Montreal who was the protégé[91] and bodyguard of Hells Angel boss Maurice Boucher (who spent five years in a notoriously white-supremacist motorcycle gang, the SS). Woolley became an associate of the Hells Angels Montreal charter[92] in the 1990s and later tried uniting street gangs in Quebec after Boucher was imprisoned.[93]

In another interview with Barger in 2000, he said, "if you're a motorcycle rider and you're white, you want to join the Hells Angels. If you're black, you want to join the Dragons. That's how it is whether anyone likes it or not. We don't have no blacks and they don't have no whites."[94] When asked whether that could change, Barger replied, "Anything can change. I can't predict the future."[94] Tobie Levingston, who formed the black motorcycle club East Bay Dragons MC, wrote in his book that he and Barger have a long-lasting friendship and that the Hells Angels and Dragons have a mutual friendship and hang out and ride together.[95]

In a 1966 Ebony article about motorcycle rebels in the African-American community, the Chosen Few Motorcycle Club said that they see no racial animosity in the Hells Angels and that when they come into Chosen Few territory they all get together and party.[96] A Hells Angel member interviewed for the magazine insisted there was no racial prejudice in any of their clubs. He said, "we don't have any Negro members", but maintained that no blacks have sought membership.[96] At one point in the 1970s, the Hells Angels sought to consolidate the various motorcycle clubs and offered every member of the Chosen Few a Hells Angels patch, an offer that was declined.[97]

Organization

Hells Angels clubhouse in Oakland, California

The Hells Angels became the first notarized and organized outlaw motorcycle club, and the biker clubs formed subsequently have reportedly imitated the Angels' insignias, rules, doctrines and rituals.[24] Hells Angels charters are governed by an officer corps, consisting of a president, vice president, secretary/treasurer, sergeant-at-arms and road captain.[24] Charters are composed of between ten and twelve members on average.[98] Each charter has autonomy regarding member discipline and minor policy changes.[56]

In contrast to other prominent motorcycle clubs in the United States, the Hells Angels organization is not headed by a national or international president; it is instead governed by regional officers, who are each chosen to represent a collective of localized charters at monthly regional meetings. Regional officers are divided into two groups: those who attend the West Coast Officers Meeting ("WesCOM") to conduct the policy, actions, and affairs of the Hells Angels' charters in the Western United States, and those who attend the East Coast Officers Meeting ("ECOM") to govern the charters in the Eastern United States.[56] The dividing point of the east and west regions is Omaha, Nebraska.[99] In states with multiple charters, weekly state meetings are also held in addition to charter meetings.[56]

Although the Hells Angels have no official "mother charter ", the club's de facto national headquarters remained in its founding location of San Bernardino, California until club founder Otto Friedli was imprisoned in 1958.[49][56] The club's unofficial headquarters was then relocated to Oakland, California by Sonny Barger, who succeeded Friedli as the Hells Angels' de facto national president.[24] The Oakland charter has traditionally been able to maintain a preeminent position as "first among equals" because it has the largest membership of any charter the United States and because of Barger's esteem among club members internationally.[89] The Oakland charter is responsible for making major decisions within the club and granting new charters. Any motorcycle club seeking to join to the Hells Angels must apply to the Oakland charter for membership, and the applicant club must be monitored and approved of by the Oakland Hells Angels before being granted membership.[24]

In New York state, the HAMC is incorporated as the Church of Angels, a nonprofit religious organization.[100]

Worldwide charters

The former Hells Angels clubhouse at 77 East 3rd Street in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City

The HAMC acknowledges more than 100 charters in over 29 countries. New Zealand had the first charter of the Hells Angels outside the United States; the club founded a charter in Auckland in 1961, and has since taken over gangs in Whanganui.[101] Europe did not become widely home to the Hells Angels until 1969 when two London charters were formed. The Beatles' George Harrison invited some members of the HAMC San Francisco to stay at Apple Records in London in 1968.[102][103] According to Chris O'Dell, only two members showed up, Frisco Pete and Bill "Sweet William" Fritsch.[104] Two people from London visited California, "prospected", and ultimately joined. Two charters were issued on July 30, 1969; one for "South London"—the reimagined charter renewing the already existing 1950 South London charter—and the other for "East London", but by 1973 the two charters came together as one, called "London". The London Angels provided security at a number of UK Underground festivals, including Phun City in 1970, organized by Mick Farren. They awarded Farren an "approval patch" in 1970 for use on his first solo album Mona, which also featured Steve Peregrin Took (credited as "Shagrat the Vagrant").[105]

In 1977, the Hells Angels arrived in Canada with the Popeye Moto Club patching over to form the Hells Angels' Montreal charter.[106] During the 1980s and 1990s, there was a major expansion of the club into the rest of Canada. The Quebec Biker War was a violent turf war that began in 1994 and continued until late 2002 in Quebec. The war began when the Hells Angels in Quebec began to try to establish a monopoly on street-level drug sales in Quebec. Many drug dealers and crime families resisted and established groups such as the "Alliance to fight the Angels", led by the Rock Machine. The war resulted in the bombings of many establishments and murders on both sides. More than 160 people died, over 300 were injured,[107] and over 100 bikers were incarcerated.[108]

Members of the Spanish charter were involved in a killing and tried.[109]

A list of acknowledged charters can be found on the HAMC's official website.[110]

Support clubs

Hells Angels chapters often oversee smaller motorcycle clubs within their locality, known as support clubs or "puppet" clubs.[111][112] These clubs serve as a potential source of recruitment and earnings for the Hells Angels, and, according to law enforcement, carry out crimes on the Hells Angels' behalf in order to shield the Hells Angels from scrutiny.[111][113] The Hells Angels also use support clubs to establish an initial presence in an area before forming a full-fledged charter.[114] Support clubs may be established for the sole purpose of providing assistance to the Hells Angels, or begin as independent clubs before coming under the Hells Angels' control.[114] Such clubs may maintain relations with the Hells Angels for protection or to bolster their reputation.[115] Members of puppet clubs attend Hells Angels events and associate with Hells Angels at gatherings.[113] Puppet club members are also permitted to wear a diamond-shaped "81" patch on their vests, which indicates their adherence to the Hells Angels.[113][116]

The Red Devils Motorcycle Club, a biker group with chapters in nearly 20 countries, is the official and most prominent support club of the Hells Angels.[117][118][119] The Hells Angels have more than two dozen support clubs in Canada.[114] In Norway, the Hells Angels have built up a network of support clubs over which they exert control and hold responsibility for administering three-piece back patches.[116] The Hells Angels have also formed support groups, such as AK81 in Denmark and the Red & White Crew [sv] in Sweden, which consist of young males who do not own motorcycles.[116]

Club mergers

Over the years, the Hells Angels have amalgamated a number of smaller outlaw motorcycle clubs in a process known as a "patch-over".[120]

Hells Angels club mergers
Year Location Original Club/Charter Hells Angels Charter References
1967 United States Animals MC
Gooses MC
Hells Angels Cleveland [121]
1969 Aliens MC Nomads Hells Angels New York City [122]
Hackers MC Hells Angels Rochester [123]
1973 Germany Bloody Devils MC Hells Angels Hamburg [124]
United States Storm Troopers MC Hells Angels Durham [125]
1975 Grateful Dead MC Hells Angels Bridgeport [126]
1976 Tribulators MC Hells Angels Charleston [125]
1977 Canada Popeye MC Hells Angels North (Montreal) [127]
1978 United States Satan's Slaves MC Hells Angels San Fernando Valley [128]
Tar Heel Stompers MC Hells Angels Charlotte [125]
Netherlands Kreidler Ploeg Oost Hells Angels Amsterdam [129]
1979 United States Original Jokers MC Hells Angels Winston-Salem [125]
1980 Netherlands Mad Dogs Hells Angels Haarlem [129]
Denmark Unionen MC Hells Angels Copenhagen [130]
1982 Spain Hells Angels Spain [131]
1982 United States Grim Reapers MC Minneapolis Hells Angels Minneapolis [132]
Brothers MC Hells Angels Anchorage [133]
1983 Canada Satan's Angels MC Hells Angels Vancouver [134][135]
1984 13th Tribe MC Hells Angels Halifax [136]
Gitans MC Hells Angels Sherbrooke [137]
1985 Denmark Black Sheep MC Hells Angels South (Helsingør)
1990 Germany Phoenix MC Hells Angels Berlin [138]
1991 Canada Satan's Guard MC Hells Angels Trois-Rivières [139]
1992 Norway Rowdies MC Hells Angels Trondheim [140][141]
Denmark Nordstjernen MC Hells Angels Aarhus [142]
1993 Sweden Dirty Dräggels Hells Angels Malmö [143]
1994 United States Hell's Henchmen MC Hells Angels Illinois
Hells Angels Indiana
[144]
1996 Sweden Rebels MC Hells Angels Helsingborg
Finland Overkill MC Hells Angels Helsinki [145]
Denmark Mental Midgets MC Hells Angels Odense [146][147]
Norway Customizers MC Hells Angels Oslo
The Shabby Ones MC Hells Angels Stavanger [148]
Denmark Avengers MC Hells Angels Aalborg
1997 Sweden Choppers MC Hells Angels Stockholm [149][150][151]
Canada Grim Reapers MC Hells Angels Alberta [152]
United States Dirty Dozen MC Hells Angels Arizona [153]
1998 Canada Rebels MC Hells Angels Saskatoon [152]
1999 Norway Screwdrivers MC Hells Angels Hamar [154][155][156]
Sweden Gamlestadens MC Hells Angels Gothenburg [151]
2000 Canada Los Bravos MC Hells Angels Winnipeg [157]
Last Chance MC
Lobos MC
Para-Dice Riders MC
Satan's Choice MC
Hells Angels Ontario [158][159]
2001 Denmark Piraterne MC Hells Angels Randers [160]
2002 United States Brothers Fast MC Hells Angels Denver [161]
2004 Canada Bandidos MC Edmonton Hells Angels Red Deer Nomads [162]
2015 United States North Coast MC Hells Angels Akron [163][164]

Criminal activities and incidents

Various U.S. law enforcement agencies classify the Hells Angels as one of the "big four" motorcycle gangs, along with the Pagans, the Outlaws, and the Bandidos, and contend that members carry out widespread violent crime and organized crime, including drug dealing, trafficking in stolen goods, extortion, and prostitution operations.[165][166] In Australia, the Hells Angels are included among the "big six", with the Bandidos, the Comanchero, the Finks, the Mongols, and the Rebels.[167][168] All Hells Angels charters are autonomous and operate on their own. As such, some charters refrain from any illegal activity, while others operate as crime syndicates.[169] Members of the organization have continuously asserted that they are only a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who have joined to ride motorcycles together, to organize social events such as group road trips, fundraisers, parties, and motorcycle rallies, and that any crimes are the responsibility of the people who carried them out, not the club as a whole.[170][171]

In May 2019, a court in Utrecht issued a verdict that made the Netherlands the first country to completely ban the Hells Angels. The presiding judge called it "a danger to public order and the rule of law".[172] Other countries such as Germany had banned local charters, but never the entire club.[173][174][175][176] On July 15, 2022, the Supreme Court of the Netherlands reaffirmed the ban, making it permanent.[177]

See also

References

  1. ^ Gartrell, Nate (June 29, 2022). "Sonny Barger, famous Hells Angel and bestselling author, dead at 83 of cancer". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  2. ^ Hells merchandise barred from Friday 13th Monte Sonnenberg, Simcoe Reformer (May 8, 2019) Archived May 8, 2019, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "The Founding of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club". Hells-Angels.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Inside the biker gangs: the truth about guns, drugs and organized crime". The Independent. UK. August 14, 2007. Archived from the original on June 9, 2008. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
  5. ^ Drewery, George (Spring 2003). "3 Skulls, Wings & Outlaws – Motorcycle Club Insignia & Cultural Identity" (PDF). Inter-Cultural Studies; A Forum on Social Change & Cultural Diversity. Vol. 3, no. 2. p. 29. ISSN 1445-1190. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 6, 2006.
  6. ^ The Hells Angels’ devilish business (Fortune, 1992) Archived March 9, 2021, at the Wayback Machine Andy Serwer, Fortune (December 2, 2012)
  7. ^ Hells Angels MC World Archived October 17, 2022, at the Wayback Machine At the bottom of the homepage under "CHARTERS WORLDWIDE" is a listing of all current info - continents, countries, areas and charters
  8. ^ a b Hells Angels organizing on P.E.I., say RCMP Kevin Yarr and Sally Pitt, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (September 23, 2016) Archived September 24, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ a b Hells Angels clubhouses in Kelowna, Nanaimo and Vancouver seized by government Jacqueline Gelineau, Houston Today (February 15, 2023) Archived February 17, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ "81" is a metonym. As 'H' and 'A' are the 8th and 1st letter of the alphabet.
  11. ^ Miller, Michael E. (May 18, 2015). "How the Bandidos became one of the world's most feared biker gangs". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on April 14, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  12. ^ "Motorcycle gang". U.S. Department of Justice. Archived from the original on April 15, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  13. ^ Lockyer, Bill (2003). "ORGANIZED CRIME IN CALIFORNIA" (PDF). CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 29, 2010. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  14. ^ "ORGANIZED CRIME IN OREGON" (PDF). Oregon State Department of Justice. September 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 21, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  15. ^ "ASIAN ORGANIZED CRIME AND TERRORIST ACTIVITY IN CANADA, 1999–2002" (PDF). Federal Research Division. Library of Congress. July 2003. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  16. ^ "Major international operation against Hells Angels". Europol. July 24, 2013. Archived from the original on November 20, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022. "Major international operation against Hells Angels | Europol". Archived from the original on November 20, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  17. ^ 2003 Annual Report on Organized Crime in Canada Criminal Intelligence Service Canada (2003) Archived July 2, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ AFP targets outlaw motorcycle gangs in South-East Asia Australian Federal Police (July 11, 2022) Archived July 10, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ The Secret Life of Bikers by Jerry Langton. Location 19.5/477. HarperCollings:2018 ISBN 978-1-44345-467-4
  20. ^ a b c James, Randy (August 3, 2009). "A Brief History of the Hells Angels". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Archived from the original on December 25, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  21. ^ The Betty Supernaw Hells Angels & POBOBs Archive TheWesternEmpire.com (June 1, 2020) Archived March 6, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  22. ^ Research into Contemporary Outlaws (RICO) Greg Williams, TheVintagent.com (January 19, 2021) Archived May 22, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  23. ^ "Hells Angels MC World". Hells-angels.com. Archived from the original on August 21, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g Raymond C. Morgan (1979). The Angels Do Not Forget. Law & Justice Pubs, U.S.A. ISBN 9780960271801. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  25. ^ Rossi, J.R. "Flying Tiger Association Unit Rosters". The Flying Tigers - American Volunteer Group - Chinese Air Force. Archived from the original on December 5, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  26. ^ "FAQ/Contact – Hells Angels MC World". Archived from the original on April 30, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  27. ^ Bishop, Cliff T. (1986). Fortresses of the Big Triangle First, East Anglia Books. ISBN 1-869987-00-4, pp.160, 236.
  28. ^ "Hells Angels vs. Memphis Belle, Historical Information" (PDF). 303rd Bomb Group Association. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 23, 2013. Retrieved August 11, 2008.
  29. ^ Barker 2007, p. 34.
  30. ^ Barker 2007, p. 34-35.
  31. ^ Driving out the Angels: How an outlaw motorcycle club was ousted from Sacramento Archived December 8, 2022, at the Wayback Machine Michael Anthony Adams, ABC 10 (August 5, 2017)
  32. ^ Barker 2007, p. 35.
  33. ^ Who was Sonny Barger, the Hells Angels member whose funeral service is in Stockton Archived December 8, 2022, at the Wayback Machine Megan Camponovo, Fox 40 (September 22, 2022)
  34. ^ Sonny Barger, figurehead of Hells Angels, dies at 83 Archived December 8, 2022, at the Wayback Machine Tampa Bay Times (July 1, 2022)
  35. ^ Birney Jarvis for Male magazine, 1964. Reprinted in Hells Angels by Hunter S. Thompson
  36. ^ Roberts, Walter (2012). Biker Gangs: Hells Angels, Bandidos, Pagans, Bosozoku and Other World Gangs. RW Press. ISBN 9781909284067. Archived from the original on April 30, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2022. It was Sonny Barger, founder of the Oakland Hells Angels, who brought them all together under one umbrella. Some suggest that the organization of the Hells Angels had already taken place in San Francisco in 1953 when Rocky Graves gathered together 13 charter members, with a president, using a smaller version of the Death's Head logo. The Oakland charter used a bigger version of the logo—known as the 'Barger Larger'. This would eventually become the standard version used everywhere.
  37. ^ Bagnall, Sam (January 2, 2004). "Hells Angels: Easy-riders or criminal gang?". This World. BBC News. Archived from the original on June 21, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
  38. ^ Chamings, Andrew (April 27, 2021). "The most famous (and infamous) houses of Haight-Ashbury". SFGATE. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  39. ^ "The Fall of the Counterculture : Preview". Bu.digication.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  40. ^ Hell's Angels and the Illusion of the Counterculture; Wood, John. September 30, 2003. The Journal of Popular Culture, Volume 3
  41. ^ The Haight-Ashbury: A History; Perry, Charles. 2005
  42. ^ "Interview with Sonny Barger". Pdr.autono.net. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  43. ^ "Early Implementation of the Clean Air Act of 1970 in California". EPA Alumni Association. Video Archived September 22, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, Transcript Archived April 12, 2019, at the Wayback Machine (see p. 14). July 12, 2016.
  44. ^ a b "History". Hells-angels.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2008.
  45. ^ Gangs: A Journey into the heart of the British Underworld, Tony Thompson, (2004) ISBN 0-340-83053-0
  46. ^ a b Hells Angels movement Archived November 15, 2022, at the Wayback Machine Paul Stokes, The Daily Telegraph (August 14, 2007)
  47. ^ Lindsey, Tom (November 2005). "A Brief History of "Outlaw" Motorcycle Clubs". International Journal of Motorcycle Studies. Archived from the original on December 25, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2009. The Life story caused something of a tumult around the country (Yates), and some authors have asserted that the AMA subsequently released a press statement disclaiming involvement in the Hollister event, stating that 99% of motorcyclists are good, decent, law-abiding citizens and that the AMA's ranks of motorcycle clubs were not involved in the debacle (e.g., Reynolds, Thompson). However, the American Motorcyclist Association has no record of ever releasing such a statement. Tom Lindsay, the AMA's Public Information Director, states 'We [the American Motorcyclist Association] acknowledge that the term 'one-percenter' has long been (and likely will continue to be) attributed to the American Motorcyclist Association, but we've been unable to attribute its original use to an AMA official or published statement—so it's apocryphal.'
  48. ^ Sher & Marsden 2010, p. 263.
  49. ^ a b c d e Look Homeward Angel: Cycle Icon Sonny Barger Kick-Starts Life As A Free Man By Violating Parole Archived November 13, 2022, at the Wayback Machine Philip Martin, Phoenix New Times (December 2, 1992)
  50. ^ Thompson, Tony (February 28, 2005). Gangs: A Journey into the Heart of the British Underworld. Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 9780340830529. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2022. As soon as he had recovered from the injuries sustained in the car-bombing, Cunningham was back on the Angels social circuit, attending rallies, parties and runs, and generally living the hedonistic biker life. Almost immediately the denim cut-off and leather jacket that bore his colours sported a new patch: two Nazi-style SS lightning bolts below the words 'Filthy Few'. According to the biography of legendary Hells Angel Ralph "Sonny" Barger, president of the Oakland charter, the Filthy Few patch is a piece of harmless fun. 'It means that someone is the first to arrive at a party and the last to leave', he says. In reality the patch is only awarded to Angels who have murdered on behalf of the club — usually in the presence of another member for corroboration — or who are prepared to commit a murder at a moment's notice.
  51. ^ The Story Behind The Controversial Hell’s Angels Tammy Ziv, The Herald Weekly (October 4, 2022) Archived November 15, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  52. ^ "Over view of the Hell's Angel's Motorcycle Club (HAMC) In Canada: Extracted from Expert Evidence In R. v. Bonner and Lindsay". Castanet. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  53. ^ Frank Reynolds, Michael McClure (1967). Freewheelin Frank: Secretary of the Angels, Grove Press, 1967, p. 73
  54. ^ Hopper, C. B., & Moore, J. (1990). "Women in outlaw motorcycle gangs". Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, 18(4), p. 385.
  55. ^ Hell's Angels: Three Can Keep a Secret If Two Are Dead Archived April 12, 2023, at the Wayback Machine Yves Lavigne (1989)
  56. ^ a b c d e f g Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs Deputy John Williams, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (2008) Archived November 28, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
  57. ^ Requiem for a Heavyweight Archived April 30, 2023, at the Wayback Machine Martha Lagace, New York (December 16, 1985)
  58. ^ Hells Angels say trademark used without permission Steve Harvey, Los Angeles Times (October 27, 1989) Archived November 24, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  59. ^ Hells Angels sue over alleged trademark infringement Dave McNary, United Press International (October 26, 1989) Archived November 24, 2022, at archive.today
  60. ^ Ray Conlogue (March 2, 2002). "Bilingual on bikes". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2020. If you're a TV show and the Hells Angels are considering a court injunction to stop you from being broadcast, then that's what you'll be famous for.
  61. ^ 'Litigation against movie release' (March 8, 2006) and they rule., HAMC vs Walt Disney Archived November 19, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  62. ^ "Hells Angels Motorcycle Club settled disputes the old-fashioned way, with a swift kick in the groin or a punch in the face to the offending party. – Hells Angels". Zimbio. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  63. ^ "Companies / Personal Goods – Hells Angels sue luxury fashion house". Financial Times. October 27, 2010. Archived from the original on October 27, 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  64. ^ zzfritz, Fritz Clapp (October 7, 2009). "Re: Hell's Angels skinpack". FOFO Gaming. Archived from the original on July 20, 2018. Retrieved October 7, 2009.
  65. ^ zzfritz, Fritz Clapp (October 7, 2009). "Fritz Clapp Tweet". Twitter. Archived from the original on July 20, 2018. Retrieved October 7, 2009.
  66. ^ Ella Alexander (October 27, 2010). "Hells Angels sue Alexander McQueen". Vogue. Archived from the original on October 30, 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  67. ^ "Companies / Personal Goods – Hells Angels sue luxury fashion house". Financial Times. October 27, 2010. Archived from the original on October 30, 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  68. ^ "Hells Angels set for rumble on the catwalk - Business - Retail". NBC News. October 27, 2010. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  69. ^ Jeffrey, Don (October 26, 2010). "Hells Angels Sue Saks, McQueen Design, Over Trademark". Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg. Archived from the original on October 31, 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  70. ^ "Grazia Fashion: McQueen Settles with Hells Angels". Graziadaily.co.uk. Archived from the original on November 7, 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  71. ^ Verena von Pfetten (November 3, 2010). "Alexander McQueen – Hell's Angels – SETTLEMENT". Styleite. Archived from the original on November 6, 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  72. ^ Cowles, Charlotte (November 3, 2010). "Alexander McQueen Settles With Hells Angels by Agreeing to Destroy Merchandise With Skull Logo – The Cut". New York. Archived from the original on November 6, 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  73. ^ "Attorney for Plaintiff : HELLS ANGELS MOTORCYCLE CORPORATION" (PDF). Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  74. ^ Weller, Susan Neuberger (July 12, 2013). "Hells Angels and Toys "R" Us Settle "Death Head" Trademark Litigation". The National Law Review. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  75. ^ Weiss, Debra Cassens (December 3, 2013). "Hells Angels club sues often to protect its intellectual property". ABA Journal. Archived from the original on January 4, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  76. ^ Aston, Joe (September 9, 2021). "Redbubble's Hells Angels woes continue". Australian Financial Review. Archived from the original on September 11, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  77. ^ Redbubble ordered to pay Hells Angels more than $78,000 for using logo without permission Archived January 29, 2023, at the Wayback Machine Josh Taylor, The Guardian (July 19, 2022)
  78. ^ Hall, Neal (June 10, 2005). "Behind the Patch: Angels ABCs". The Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on March 3, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
  79. ^ Edwards, Peter (June 27, 2018). "Outlaw bikers say they're loyal to Harley-Davidson, even as Trump's trade policies push the company to look overseas". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  80. ^ NDIC Document, US Department of Justice Report on OMG HA Archived November 21, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
  81. ^ a b c "Born to raise Hell". BBC News. August 14, 2000. Archived from the original on April 7, 2009. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  82. ^ A Wayward Angel: The Full Story of the Hells Angels by George Wethern and Vincent Colnett
  83. ^ Johnson Publishing Company (December 1966). "Nazi Emblems of 'Way Outs' Are No Symbols of Hate". Ebony. p. 70. ISSN 0012-9011.
  84. ^ 2003 Soul on Bikes: The East Bay Dragons MC and Black Biker Set, Tobie Gene Levingston, with Keith and Kent Zimmerman (St. Paul, MN: Motorbikes International Publishing). The history of the Oakland-based African-American Motorcycle Club with a foreword from Sonny Barger.
  85. ^ Wright, Gary L. (June 8, 2012). "FBI leads crackdown on area Hells Angels gangs in N.C. and S.C." Winston-Salem Journal. Archived from the original on June 19, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  86. ^ Thompson, Hunter S. (1967). Hell's Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs. Random House. p. 160. ISBN 978-0-345-28908-7.
  87. ^ Coleman, Howard; Swenson, Eric (1994). DNA in the Courtroom: A Trial Watcher's Guide. GeneLex. pp. 8–9. ISBN 978-0-9644507-0-7.
  88. ^ United States v. Bonds, Verdi and Yee, 12 F.3d 540, 8 (6th Cir. 1993) ("They had found Yee to be of Chinese ancestry"), archived from the original.
  89. ^ a b Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs USA Overview Archived November 4, 2022, at the Wayback Machine National Institute of Justice (1991) "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  90. ^ Thompson, Tony (February 28, 2005). Gangs: A Journey into the Heart of the British Underworld. Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 9780340830529. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2022. In 1980 a group of Angels ambushed members of the 'bootleg' Windsor chapter and shot its leader, Richard Sharman, in the head three times. Miraculously, he survived. The attack had come about because, despite dressing themselves in close copies of the official Hells Angels colours, the Windsor chapter had never applied for an official chapter. Started up by local rockers, they were only accepted into the official fold in 1985 shortly after one of the members, John Mikkelsen, died in police custody. The fact that Mikkelsen was black — an official Angels taboo — had played a significant part in club failing to be sanctioned earlier.
  91. ^ Eric Thibault (August 16, 2012). "Sun News : Dead gang leader rebuffed top biker prior to assassination: Source". Sunnewsnetwork.ca. Archived from the original on January 7, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  92. ^ "Montreal police try to calm mafia war fears after multiple killings". Global News. Global Montreal. Archived from the original on March 23, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  93. ^ Giuseppe Valiante. "Sun News : Bust shows connections in criminal underworld in Canada". Sunnewsnetwork.ca. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  94. ^ a b "Sonny Barger Interview". Let Them Talk. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  95. ^ Levingston, Tobie Gene; Zimmerman, Keith (2003). Soul on Bikes: Tobie Levingston: 9780760317471: Amazon.com: Books. MBI Publishing Company. ISBN 076031747X.
  96. ^ a b Johnson Publishing Company (December 1966). "Nazi Emblems of 'Way Outs' Are No Symbols of Hate". Ebony. p. 66. ISSN 0012-9011.
  97. ^ "Chosen Few Motorcycle Club - Buffalo, NY". Chosenfewbuffalony.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  98. ^ Police Say Hells Angels Establishing Its First NW Clubhouse In Spokane The Seattle Times (May 23, 1994) Archived September 4, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  99. ^ United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary (1993). Organized Crime in America: Hearings Before the Committee on the Judiciary. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  100. ^ Hells Angels ex-clubhouse now a hot property Mary Reinholz, AM New York Metro (March 26, 2019) Archived October 3, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
  101. ^ Kemp, p 50
  102. ^ "George Harrison's memo to Apple staff about the Hell's Angels, 4 December 1968". Beatlesbible.com. December 4, 1968. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  103. ^ Pg. 129, Rock Scully, David Dalton, "Living with the Dead: Twenty Years on the Bus with Garcia and the Grateful Dead", Cooper Square Publ Inc, 2001 ISBN 978-0-8154-1163-5
  104. ^ Chris O'Dell (October 6, 2009). Miss O'Dell: My Hard Days and Long Nights with The Beatles, The Stones, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and the Women They Loved. Simon and Schuster. p. 68. ISBN 978-1416590934. george harrison hell's angels.
  105. ^ "Hells Angels MC London History". Archived from the original on May 9, 2009.
  106. ^ How the Hells Angels Conquered Canada Patrick Lejtenyi, Vice (October 27, 2016) Archived February 17, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  107. ^ "Biker gangs in Canada". Cbc.ca. July 13, 2011. Archived from the original on April 29, 2014. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  108. ^ "Organized Crime in Canada: A Quarterly Summary". Archived from the original on February 8, 2009.
  109. ^ "Condenados nueve motoristas de los "Ángeles del Infierno" a 67 años de prisión". abc (in Spanish). January 14, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  110. ^ "Hells Angels MC World". Hells-angels.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  111. ^ a b Barker, Tom (September 2005), "One Percent Biker Clubs -- A Description", Trends in Organized Crime, vol. 9, no. 1, Springer New York, pp. 101–112, doi:10.1007/s12117-005-1005-0, ISSN 1084-4791, S2CID 144003167, Puppet Clubs. In addition to the Big 5 and the Independent clubs there are also "puppet" clubs that do the bidding of the larger clubs, act as potential recruiting sources, serve as cannon fodder in the wars between clubs, and give a portion of their illegal gains to the larger club. The Red Devils MC is well known as a puppet club for the HAMC as are the Black Pistons MC as a puppet club for the Outlaws. The Outlaw Nation and the Bandido Nation list their puppet clubs on their national websites.
  112. ^ The Vancouver Sun (May 28, 2006), "Police fear club linked to Hells Angels", The Vancouver Sun, archived from the original on April 19, 2008
  113. ^ a b c How the Hells Angels maintain their influence without a chapter in cities like Thunder Bay Chris Ketonen, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (July 4, 2022) Archived July 4, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  114. ^ a b c Show them the money: Profit, contacts trump biker lifestyle as Hells Angels evolve Dale Carruthers, The London Free Press (June 6, 2024) Archived June 9, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
  115. ^ Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs: Aspects of the One-Percenter Culture for Emergency Department Personnel to Consider Anand N. Bosmia, James F. Quinn, Todd B. Peterson, Christoph J. Griessenauer, and R. Shane Tubbs, United States National Library of Medicine (July 15, 2014) Archived September 12, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  116. ^ a b c Preventing organised crime originating from outlaw motorcycle clubs Tore Bjørgo, Springer Science+Business Media (October 30, 2017) Archived June 14, 2018, at the Wayback Machine
  117. ^ The Emergence of Canada's Red Devils Motorcycle Gang Signals a Hells Angels Resurgence in Quebec Remi L. Roy, Vice (May 13, 2015) Archived November 8, 2020, at the Wayback Machine
  118. ^ Nova Scotia police troubled as Outlaws biker gang moves into Hells Angels turf David Burke, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (March 2, 2021) Archived March 2, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
  119. ^ Biker gang's patch used in alleged extortion attempt, Montreal court told Paul Cherry, The Gazette (May 3, 2023) Archived September 10, 2024, at archive.today
  120. ^ Williams, John (May 2010). "Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs" (PDF). publicintelligence.net. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  121. ^ Grzegorek, Vince. "The Last Ride of a Cleveland Hells Angel Informant". Cleveland Scene. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  122. ^ Langton, Jerry (December 17, 2009). Fallen Angel: The Unlikely Rise of Walter Stadnick and the Canadian Hells Angels. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9780470739945. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2021 – via Google Books.
  123. ^ Angels think they get an unfair rap from police, society Richard Zitrin and Sherry Jacobson, Democrat and Chronicle (August 23, 1980) Archived September 7, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
  124. ^ Rocker in Hamburg: Spießer ärgern, saufen, randalieren Die Zeit (June 19, 2014) Archived June 23, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  125. ^ a b c d Carolinas Clubs Run On Drugs, Sex, Death (Continued from Page 1A) Robin Clark and Tex O'Neill, The Charlotte Observer (August 16, 1981) Archived September 7, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
  126. ^ Writer, ELIZABETH HAMILTON; Courant Staff (April 9, 2006). "BIKERS MOBILIZE FOR A GOODBYE". courant.com. Archived from the original on July 7, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  127. ^ "Popeyes MC (Motorcycle Club)". One Percenter Bikers. September 30, 2017. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  128. ^ The origins of Paranormal Witness' haunted outlaw biker Bryan Enk, Syfy (September 21, 2016) Archived November 29, 2022, at archive.today
  129. ^ a b Burgwal, Leo (September 1, 2012). Hells Angels in de Lage Landen. Just Publishers & Panorama. ISBN 9789089752109.
  130. ^ Kragh, Ambro (April 10, 2017). Englenes gerninger. Gyldendal A/S. ISBN 9788702226904. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2021 – via Google Books.
  131. ^ "Detenidos tres ángeles del infierno en Marbella en una operación internacional contra el tráfico de drogas". October 10, 2021. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  132. ^ "Midwest Meth Madness". Secrets of the Hells Angels. Season 1. Episode 6. May 18, 2024. A&E.
  133. ^ "Las Vegas Sun Newspaper Archives, Jan 16, 1977, p. 2". NewspaperArchive.com. January 16, 1977. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  134. ^ "Hells Angels still expanding after 35 years in B.C." vancouversun. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  135. ^ "Satan's Angels: The Ugly Club | Heather Elton's Blog". May 1, 2020. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  136. ^ "Man on trial for double murder in N.D.G. reveals tie to one Quebec's most wanted criminals". montrealgazette. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  137. ^ Le chapitre de Sherbrooke de retour sur le terrain René-Charles Quirion, Le Nouvelliste (December 20, 2020) Archived November 9, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
  138. ^ Schwederski, KHK Frank. "Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs" (PDF). gdp.de (in German). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 27, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  139. ^ Cherry 2006, p. 402.
  140. ^ Gottschalk, Petter (August 19, 2009). Knowledge Management in Policing: Enforcing Law on Criminal Business Enterprises. Hindawi Publishing Corporation. ISBN 9789774540783. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2021 – via Google Books.
  141. ^ "HA-veteran døde i mc-ulykke". adressa.no. May 15, 2002. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  142. ^ Gammel rockerborg til salg Jyllands-Posten (August 23, 2000) Archived September 7, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
  143. ^ "Hells Angels nya avdelning i Sverige – här är den". www.expressen.se. May 12, 2016. Archived from the original on October 14, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  144. ^ Hell's Angels motorcycle gang expands territory in Illinois Mark Kiesling, The Times of Northwest Indiana (December 13, 1994) Archived November 1, 2022, at archive.today
  145. ^ Jengiläisten riidat toivat Bandidosin Suomeen 1990-luvulla MTV Uutiset (May 12, 2015) Archived November 12, 2020, at the Wayback Machine
  146. ^ Politi advarer: Rockere hverver unge på Vestfyn Jesper Gimbel, Fyens (October 26, 2001) Archived September 7, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
  147. ^ Hells angels på nyborgvej Fyens (May 11, 2006) Archived 2024-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
  148. ^ Ruler i Sør-Rogaland Stavanger Aftenblad (October 16, 2007) Archived September 7, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
  149. ^ Sweden's Courteous Police Spoil A Hell's Angels Clubhouse Party Youssef M. Ibrahim, The New York Times (March 3, 1997) Archived October 24, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
  150. ^ Police Out En Masse During Hell's Angels Gathering in Sweden Martha Andersson, The Christian Science Monitor (March 4, 1997) Archived September 7, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  151. ^ a b Bandidos – nummer två bland mc-gängen Andres S, Zaramis (April 27, 2010) Archived December 27, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  152. ^ a b "Wiley::Fallen Angel: The Unlikely Rise of Walter Stadnick and the Canadian Hells Angels". February 1, 2011. Archived from the original on February 1, 2011.
  153. ^ Lemons, Stephen. "Chico Mora Led the Dirty Dozen Into the Hells Angels' Camp, Claiming Arizona for the Red and White". Phoenix New Times. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  154. ^ Vil du være med på noe mot Bandidos? Verdens Gang (February 25, 2003) Archived October 25, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
  155. ^ Ekeberg v. Norway European Court of Human Rights (July 11, 2006) [%22001-76781%22} Archived] September 7, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
  156. ^ Fest hos englene på Bergshøgda Roy Solvang, Østlendingen (May 16, 2014) Archived September 7, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
  157. ^ "Crown argues biker gang is organized crime - Manitoba - CBC News". February 28, 2016. Archived from the original on February 28, 2016.
  158. ^ Appleby, Timothy (July 17, 2004). "Part II". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  159. ^ "Biker gangs in Canada | CBC News". Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  160. ^ Betjente talstærkt til stede ved rockerfest i Randers Jeppe Bjerre Trans and Axel Præstmark, Randers Amtsavis (November 5, 2022) Archived September 7, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
  161. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  162. ^ Appleby, Timothy (October 25, 2004). "Patchover of Alberta Bandidos gives Hells Angels monopoly". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  163. ^ "No concerns after Hells Angels move in to Akron neighborhood". www.cleveland19.com. May 19, 2015. Archived from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  164. ^ "Hell's Angels back in Akron, the Rev. Melford Elliot dies in crash, Brittain Road closing Tuesday: Akron news roundup". cleveland. May 11, 2015. Archived from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  165. ^ "FBI Safe Street Violent Crime Initiative Report Fiscal Year 2000" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 13, 2001. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
  166. ^ Ibrahim, Youssef M. (March 3, 1997). "New York Times, Sweden's Courteous Police Spoil a Hell's Angels Clubouse Party". The New York Times. Stockholm (Sweden); Sweden. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
  167. ^ By their colours: Outlaw motorcycle gang identification guide Australian Broadcasting Corporation (October 4, 2013) Archived October 9, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  168. ^ Victoria bikies: all you need to know about Big Six outlaw gangs Anthony Dowsley, Herald Sun (July 7, 2022) Archived June 12, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  169. ^ How The Hells Angels Actually Works | How Crime Works | Insider. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  170. ^ "[Hpn] Hells Angels Mc Salvation Army Shelter Run". Hpn.asu.edu. July 6, 2003. Archived from the original on July 9, 2010. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
  171. ^ "Under watchful eye, bikers aid charity – Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008 | midnight". Las Vegas Sun. September 4, 2008. Archived from the original on August 23, 2010. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
  172. ^ "Hells Angels bikers banned by Netherlands court". BBC News. May 29, 2019. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  173. ^ "Netherlands first country to ban the Hells Angels; Violence called "systemic", "common"". NL Times. May 29, 2019. Archived from the original on February 18, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  174. ^ "Hells Angels bikers banned by Dutch court". BBC News. May 29, 2019. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  175. ^ "Hells Angels banned by Dutch court in biker gang crackdown". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. May 29, 2019. Archived from the original on May 30, 2019. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  176. ^ "Dutch court bans 'violent' Hells Angels motorcycle club". Reuters. May 29, 2019. Archived from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  177. ^ "Supreme Court confirms ban of outlaw motorcycle club Hells Angels". NLTimes. July 15, 2022. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2022.

Bibliography