Modesto Police Plot Gang War as Riders Unify Against Repression

Modesto Police Plot Gang War as Riders Unify Against Repression

By James Anderson

A version of this story will appear in Modesto Anarcho #8. http://www.geocities.com/anarcho209

Tonight, motorcycle bike clubs, riders, and supporters in the Modesto and greater Central Valley area made a historic show of solidarity against police harassment towards local bike club, Most Envied, of West Side Modesto. Things have been brewing for some time between police and the motorcycle club, but according to members of Most Envied problems stem from continued harassment, intimidation, terror, violence, raids, threats, and what many bikers believe, an attempt by the police to create an all out ‘gang war’ between Most Envied and other local bike crews. But, the united show of support today from local clubs shows that the bikers of the Central Valley aren’t going to take this repression lying down.

At around 5:30 pm today, 100 or more bikers gathered outside of Modesto City Hall as they prepared to go before the City Council to demand that the police end the harassment against Most Envied. The scene was inspiring, given the fact that the large turnout was organized in only a day or so. While taking the crowd in, I noticed the different motorcycle groups in attendance who represented their local crew with different back patches and logos. After the crowd of mixed ages, races, and sexes slapped hands and hugs, traded stories and excited looks; the group marched into City Hall. Once inside, several speakers took the floor representing Most Envied and demanded that the Modesto Police Department end their war of repression and profiling. One speaker, John Mataka, detailed a list of complaints of continued harassment by the police against members of Most Envied. These included police raids, helicopter fly bys over members homes, attempts to get club members fired from their places of employment, harassment of club members on various holiday outings, intimidating family of club members, and constant harassment of those within the group. Several other speakers spoke as well against the claim of police that Most Envied is a criminal street gang organization. Speakers before the Council stated over and over that they are not a “gang,“ but a motorcycle club, formed for the joy of riding. The most interesting claim against the police by far however, was the charge that members of other motorcycle crews throughout the area have been continuously questioned and harassed by police in regards to Most Envied. Members of the group went on to state before the Council that police officers have even encouraged members of other local motorcycle crews to “rip off Most Envied patches,” thus leading to a ‘gang war’ between members of Most Envied and other crews. Despite this attempt by the local PD, I’m happy to report that the police have failed miserably in this endeavor. In fact, due to the show of solidarity from the local bike crews towards one of their own, I’d say the opposite is true: the bikers are united.

As Police Chief Roy Wasden, (who is also an officer with the California Police Chiefs Association and who served as head cop during the police murders of Alberto Sepulveda and Sammy Galvan, among others), looked on, more members of Most Envied took the mike before the City Council. Several stated that those involved in the biker group are hard working people who own their own businesses and have also helped raise money for community projects such as the community pool at Cesar Chavez Park in West Side Modesto. When the last speaker was finished, the bikers and their supporters got up and left the room, taking the majority of the folks outside with them.



Once the large crowd had left the meeting and as police looked on nervously, one member of another motorcycle club yelled, “They want us to go to war [with Most Envied,] but it’s not going to happen!” People then cheered and clapped. The large crowd then moved slowly outside back to their bikes and to the street. Several well armed police officers followed closely behind, many with full SWAT style armor and an array of gadgets. But while these officers were keen to watch the crowd, they also turned away when people attempted to take pictures of them using cameras. As the bikers moved back to the parking lot where their bikes were, police quickly switched into repression overdrive. Officers quickly appeared on a roof across the street and began taking pictures, police cars suddenly were parked on every corner around the bikers, and an unmarked undercover car across the street quietly video taped the motorists as they packed up, said their good-byes, and drove off. In such a budget crises as the one we are now in, where teachers are laid off, libraries are forced to close early, and poor people’s meager benefits are cut - it’s always nice to see your tax dollars at work.

As the large crowd got on their bikes and drove off, police followed some and continued to swarm the area. Members of Most Envied were the last to leave; as they bravely decided to make sure that their friends would get home safely without being harassed or pulled over by the police. As members of Most Envied got on their bikes, I headed to my car to follow them to make sure that no problems with the police would go down. As I approached Modesto Junior College, I began to see a series of flashing lights and pulled over bikers, and after making sure that the first group was okay, I continued to follow members of Most Envied. As I turned left off of College Ave., I suddenly saw a member of Most Envied slammed stomach first into an unmarked police car, with an officer right behind him. I then pulled into a parking space and began to watch as two members of Most Envied were taken from their bikes, had their tattoos and bodies photographed, and held by police for close to an hour. Modesto Police Officers were also joined by Stanislaus County Sheriffs, as well as several other law enforcement officers armed with various weapons and armor. About 10 police officers and about 5 police cars were used in the arrest of one man who was charged with “assault with a deadly weapon,” and the lengthy detention of another.

Police and Sheriffs also took time out while during all of this to photograph people who stopped to watch what was going on and support those being arrested. When asked why the police were taking photos of people on the sidewalk, one officer simply did not respond and walked away, while another simply said, “You’re on the sidewalk, we can take pictures of you.” The daily reality for poor and working people in the Central Valley is one of a police state - when agents of the government continuously expand their power into more and more people’s lives at the expense of our freedom and safety. The scene outside of Modesto Junior College could have been anywhere - China, South Africa, Mexico; it showed the naked raw power of a police force determined to crush the voices of anyone that dared stand up against them. It was clear to everyone there that the police were well prepared for this action and were determined to remind any biker that dared to stand up against the police that real power in this society lies in the government and it’s violence and not in the people - at least for now. As one member of Most Envied said to me after the incident was over, “This is what it’s like for us everyday.” This is unacceptable, the bikers must not stand alone - their struggle must be our struggle!

At this time, it is still believed that a member of the motorcycle club Most Envied is still being held on charges of assault with a deadly weapon at the Stanislaus County Jail. We urge all friends of freedom, community, and justice to call the jail and demand that he be released now! We also urge all concerned people to contact the Modesto Chief of Police, Roy Wasden, and demand that the Modesto Police Department end their ongoing assault on the members of Most Envied and all motorcycle riders in the area.

Free all members of Most Envied!
Stop the repression of Valley Bikers!

Chief Roy Wasden:
(209) 572-9501
wasdenr [at] modestopd.com

Stanislaus County Jail:
(209) 525-6427