CANADA - Hells Angels strive for clean image, says expert

OFF THE WIRE
The Hells Angels rally in Saskatoon this week is a well orchestrated publicity event for a notorious biker gang obsessed with its image, say experts on the organization.
Expect Hells Angels members to tip well in restaurants, and expect them to stay out of trouble during the three day event, says Yves Lavigne, a Toronto-based investigative journalist and author of Hells Angels at War.
"They know they are being watched," Lavigne said by phone. "You won't see any guns. You won't see any drugs."
The event is essentially a social event and publicity exercise for members, said Julian Sher, investigate journalist and author of The Road to Hell: How the Biker Gxxgs are Conquering Canada.
Hells Angels members maintain they are simply a social club for motorcycle enthusiasts, although members have been tied to violence and the drug-trade across the country.
"It's an organized crime group that wrote the book on publicity," said Sher, who attended a national rally in Niagara Falls 10 years ago.
"The mafia doesn't hold press conferences. The image is as important for (the Hells Angels) as the work they do ... Rarely does anything happen (during the event) and when it's over they can turn around and say, 'See, we're not trouble.'"
The Saskatoon chapter's Avenue Q clubhouse will likely be the centre of activity starting today, and at least one large gathering there is planned for Saturday.
Members generally stay together in one or two hotels and the public is likely to see them in bars and restaurants.
But the event is also a chance for chapter presidents to meet and discuss business, Sher said.
He added that the Hells Angels are sending out two messages with the large gathering: One for the public and one for rival gxxgs. First, they want to show the public " AC they are just anti-establishment "lovable rascals," Sher said.
"But there's an element of fear, too," he said.
The "national run" will showcase the club's cross-country strength and boost the clout of the host chapter, Sher said.
"It makes them more threatening," he said. "What other gxxg can bring in hundreds of members from across the country and hold a public party?"
Up to 400 Hells Angels will be in Saskatoon in the next few days for the event.
Saskatoon police are also bringing in law enforcement support from RCMP and police forces from B.C. to Quebec to keep watch on the club's members and associates.
Police say the event is an opportunity to gather intelligence on an organized crime group involved in violence and the drug-trade across the country. Bcause of the large police presence, expect Hells Angels to be on their best behaviour, Lavigne said.
"It's convenient for police because there's a bunch of bikers together, but there's nothing strategic to gain," he said.
Sher agreed that it is unlikely police will find anything criminal, but it does offer a glimpse of the organization's structure and current membership.
"The cops use this to find out who is who in the zoo," he said.
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