Bikers rally outside Waco courthouse to protest handling of Twin Peaks shooting
|
Version 0 of 1. Related: Waco shootout: how a friendly Sunday get-together ended in a biker bloodbath Hundreds of bikers rode into the heart of Waco on Sunday, to protest the police’s handling of the Twin Peaks shootout that left nine people dead, 18 injured and 177 arrested. Demonstrators moved through the streets of the Texas city and then massed outside the courthouse for a protest that was silent, save for the rumbling and revving of engines. Their chrome machines glinting in the sunshine, colourful graphics and slogans dotting their black leather vests, members of the Rough Riders, Comanche Warriors, Sons of Liberty, Homeboys and other groups gathered in support of those who were killed or imprisoned as a result of the violence at the suburban restaurant three weeks ago. Of those arrested, 102 remain behind bars, said John Kolinek, a captain with the McLennan county sheriff’s office. Authorities initially set bail at $1m, which most have been unable to pay. Biker supporters and lawyers for the accused maintain that many of those arrested on suspicion of engaging in organised crime were innocent bystanders with no connection to illegal gangs and that the bail amount was excessive. Some have been released after their bond was reduced. The sheer number of arrests has placed the local legal system under strain and caused delays An estimated 500 people attended Sunday’s protest, which was billed by the organisers as a peaceful “First Amendment and Redress Rally”. Several – who were not bikers – turned up openly carrying rifles, which is legal under Texas law. Police maintained a visible but discreet presence and the event seemed to pass off without incident. American and Confederate flags were brandished along with signs with slogans including “We are not criminals”, “It’s not illegal to be a biker”, “No more massacres in Waco” and “Biker lives matter”. Shortly after 1.30pm local time, dozens of bikers arrived at the square in downtown Waco and entered a cordoned-off lot, pointedly parking their motorcycles facing the courthouse’s main entrance. None appeared to be members of the Bandidos and Cossacks, the rival gangs blamed for sparking trouble at a meeting that was supposed to be a friendly gathering to discuss legislative issues. Three weeks on, authorities have released little information about what exactly happened during the shootout, including how it began and how many people were killed or wounded by police. A prosecutor said on Friday that video of the incident “clearly shows Bandidos executing Cossacks and Cossacks executing Bandidos, some at point-blank range”, the Waco Tribune-Herald reported. Waco police have said more than 300 weapons were recovered from the scene. Joe Miller, a 64-year-old independent rider with a grey beard and an aquamarine Harley-Davidson, said he had a lucky escape. He was near Twin Peaks on the day of the shooting but decided not to go to the meeting after seeing men with gang insignia ride past when he stopped to get fuel. “I saw all these guys wearing patches, like something’s going on,” he said. “I got out of there.” Miller said he came to the rally to protest what he saw as police overreaction: “Arrest them, take their bikes? The bike is their love. They need to get their due process going a bit quicker.” Mark Martinez was one of several who travelled to Waco from New Mexico. He said that he came to take a stand against government oppression. “They say we’re the land of the free. Man, we all know that’s a bunch of BS,” the 55-year-old said. “I’m not just here because I ride a motorcycle, I’m here for all the people.” Related: Texas motorcycles, politics and guns: welcome to the biker world Standing next to him, Karen Chenault said she wanted to “see the evidence that backs up this extreme response. Is it proportional to the event? I don’t think it is.” A man who called himself “Newport”, of the Junkyard Dawgs, said he attended the funeral near Dallas of one of the Bandidos who was shot dead, Manny Rodriguez, aka Candyman. “Ah, man, just a good dude. Family man, had two kids, wife, good job,” he said. Dan “Spanky” Rush, a road captain with the American Legion Riders, said he feared law-abiding bikers have been stigmatised. “Everybody that wears a vest is affected by this,” the 58-year-old said, calling for the authorities to release more details. “All of us aren’t angels, there’s no doubt about that … [but] I don’t think the truth has come out yet.” By mid-afternoon, the protesters had dispersed. |