Bikers Protect Police From Gang at Festival

When Attorney Michael F. Hupy negotiated with Summerfest officials and their attorneys to allow members of the Outlaws Milwaukee Motorcycle Club to wear their insignias at Summerfest this year, he pointed out the real problem. It was youth gangs, not members of the motorcycle club, that engaged in malicious mischief, including assault, vandalism and robbery. Hupy suggested that the public be educated about the fact that the Outlaws have never caused a problem at Summerfest in 25 years, and the presence of bikers wearing Outlaws Milwaukee insignias might cause someone to think twice before starting trouble. 

Although Hupy's idea for a public education program was given the cold shoulder, the Outlaw mascot returned to Summerfest this year. No problems were caused by anyone wearing Outlaws club insignias.

However, there may be more to the theory of bikers protecting the public from gangs than Summerfest officials thought. Apparently, with the Outlaws back at Summerfest, the troublemakers have now moved to this year's Greek festival. The Wednesday, July 24, 2004, edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that a gang of about 50 - 100 people began encroaching on police officers and pelted them with bottles and trash as they tried to arrest a woman on a disorderly conduct charge. How were the officers able to escape?  A line of motorcyclists formed a shield between the police and the thugs, allowing the police to make the arrest.

Maybe the Outlaws Milwaukee and other motorcycle clubs could volunteer to appear at festivals to discourage any misbehavior.

Click here to read the front-page article from the July 14, 2004, edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

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