There is a lot of popular mythology about outlaw bikers —
some right, some wrong, and some in between. Among the pop cultural clutter is the outsized legend
of the biker club party. The Hells Angels, the world's largest and most notorious outlaw biker
club, offers its own modern incarnation of that mythology this week, as some of
its richest chapters in the world celebrated their 40th anniversary. Celebrating 40 years
together is traditionally the Ruby Anniversary. In this case that seems appropriate: ruby red.
They often call themselves The Big Red Machine.
The Mob Reporter here with a look at roaring celebrations of that 40-year milestone for
the first Hells Angels chapters in British Columbia, on Canada's picturesque West Coast,
held under a suspicious watchful gaze. Let me tell you about it.
Some 300 Hells Angels members with select guests and supporters gathered at a sprawling clubhouse
this weekend. On the five acres of land of a Hells Angels chapter clubhouse, there were large tents
set up, a pounding live band playing songs by Black Sabbath, Metallica, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. There was
drinking, there was eating; there was meeting and greeting. There was a helium balloon truck and
awards. There was... well I don't know all that took place, because the party was Invitation Only. And
my invitation never arrived. To ensure some mystery, they even covered their gate to block prying eyes.
This party, on Saturday, July 23, 2023, was hosted at the White Rock chapter's clubhouse in Langley,
British Columbia, is believed to be the largest single gathering of the Hells Angels the
province has seen. Langley is a city of about 30,000 people less than an hour's ride on a Harley
from the major metropolis of Vancouver. Police and media were watching closely, including my
colleague Kim Bolan, who kindly provided me most of the party's images and details here.
There were representatives of Hells Angels from many chapters across Canada and likely a few
international guests. Every chapter from Quebec, where Canada's first Hells Angels chapter was
started in 1977, was represented at the party, which is rare for a BC event. Guests included men and
women and even a few kids. An original BC Hells Angels arrived to a warm reception, seen here. This
is 78-year-old Rick Ciarniello, a true veteran of Canada's biker scene. He was often the soft-talking
club spokesman in the province for years. Here he is, in fact, a little younger and a little larger,
talking to the media after a clubhouse raid a couple of decades ago. "No it's, uh, it's about
criminal organization. But I, you know, I deny that the Hells Angels are a criminal organization..."
What's an anniversary without nostalgia?
Rick and other surviving original members were
expected to be given 40-year membership pins at the party.
When guests were arriving, the gates were opened, allowing media a quick glimpse at
the festivities inside. The banners on each side of the entrance, in the Hells
Angels' club colors of red and white, say A.F.F.A., which stands for Angels Forever, Forever Angels.
Sunday marks the exact anniversary when three chapters in the province were granted a Hells
Angels charter. The Hells Angels found B.C. to be fertile ground. Police say the Hells Angels are
at the top of the food chain in the province's organized crime hierarchy. And they've spread to
10 chapters. They encompass more than 120 full- patch members. Some of the chapters in British
Columbia have long had a reputation for being among the wealthiest Hells Angels chapters in the
world. In the 1990s, members from other chapters around the world were told to not keep asking
for money or loans from BC members when they attended motorcycle events. Police were watching
this party carefully, and police parked their End Gang Life-decorated SUV at the front gates.
Police monitor these events openly to ease public concerns, and also to gather intelligence.
Earlier this year the government won the latest round of a long-fought civil
forfeiture case, allowing it to seize three Hells Angels clubhouses. But those bikers in
B.C. this weekend to celebrate will probably be focusing on happier memories. Please share
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