It鈥檚 thoughtful of the Hells Angels to stand up for the rights of all British Columbians, but forgive us if we鈥檙e a little cynical about the group鈥檚 motives.
Seven men connected with the Vancouver East End Chapter of the notorious motorcycle club have filed a challenge to the sa国际传媒 government鈥檚 civil-forfeiture law, claiming it violates their constitutional rights. They want the government to return clubhouses seized in East Vancouver and Kelowna.
A Hells Angels spokesman issued a news release in which he said the club is fighting 鈥渇or all British Columbians.鈥�
We can鈥檛 have too many people and groups standing up for our rights, even if one of those groups is usually perceived as being on the wrong side of the law.
鈥淲hen we do right, nobody remembers; when we do wrong, nobody forgets,鈥� is written (punctuation added) across the bottom of the Hells Angels website.
True, Hells Angels don鈥檛 often get credit for taking part in charity rides and other fundraisers, which happens occasionally. It seems criminal activities by members of the group get more prominence.
But lest we forget, the East End clubhouse was seized after a major undercover operation in 2005 that led to the conviction of 12 Angels and associates. After the Kelowna clubhouse was raided in 2012, several men were charged with trafficking and conspiracy and committing offences on behalf of a criminal organization. It is probably not coincidence that wherever Hells Angels chapters exist, criminal activity seems to follow.
Nevertheless, the suit challenging civil forfeiture should be considered on its merits, not on reputations. Challenges to laws help ensure that they are fair and just.
