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Local bikers work to benefit the community
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They want motorcycle clubs to have a positive reputation.
Friday, May 22, 2015 - 12:33 pm
Many people are familiar with the sight of dozens of motorcycle gang members in Waco, Texas, being arrested after a fatal shootout between rival gangs. But for the past three years members of the local United Motorcycle Enthusiasts have been trying to get the public to see motorcycle clubs in a positive light.
It was July 11, 2012, when federal agents raided several locations used by the Outlaws motorcycle club in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. Those raids included the Outlaws clubhouse at 1202 W. Main St. Tony Lupica, 62, president of the Fort Wayne Outlaws motorcycle club started the UME that same year in response to the raids.
Standing in the clubhouse Wednesday morning, Lupica said he came up with UME as a way to show the public a more positive side of the clubs. Currently, 25 motorcycle groups are involved in UME. Representatives from the clubs meet once a week to plan charity events and iron out any disagreements among the organizations.
The problems they are solving are over staying safe on their bikes within their territories, Lupica said. There are no disputes between clubs over drug running or prostitution because those are not things they are involved in, he said. They did, however, have a member who was found to have drugs at his home and was later found guilty in federal court, he said. As part of the investigation, Lupica said his house was searched without result and the items that were taken from the clubhouse, as possible evidence of wrongdoing, turned out not to be stolen motorcycle parts, so charges were never filed.
The UME initials stand not just for United Motorcycle Enthusiasts but also as “you and me,” Lupica said. The “you” refers to the communities we live in and those around us.
Almost every weekend of the summer, a motorcycle club is hosting a charity fun run. Sometimes they hold more than one event a day and almost always one on both Saturday and Sunday. Members of the UME try to attend each others' events to show solidarity.
All proceeds from these events go right to whatever charity or cause the event is supporting, Lupica said. There is even a women's motorcycle club known as Babes Out On Bikes that does charity events all targeting individuals and their families who have breast cancer.
At a recent meeting at Portside Pizza near Columbia City, the different clubs munched on pizza, donated by the owner of the establishment, while going over business. That week most of the agenda had to deal with various upcoming events, primarily charity rides as well as some discussion of the upcoming Sunday Fun Day series.
Every Sunday, the UME will host a “Sunday Fun Day” in Piere's parking lot in the Marketplace of Canterbury, 5629 St. Joe Road, starting June 7. The events will include kids games, and the idea is for the different bike clubs to meet with public in a family-friendly environment.
ABATE of Indiana will hold its 26th annual mayor's ride June 14, which will end at Piere's. All proceeds from the event will go to support motorcyclist safety and advocacy. After the ride, the club will hold a bike show, motorcycle games and kids games.
Referring to the events in Waco, Lupica said it all started over something stupid, a parking spot, and alcohol was involved. The argument between rival clubs ended with nine dead and 18 wounded. Lupica said he realizes that incident makes it harder for people to accept bikers, but obviously not every biker would behave the way those in Waco did and should not be judged that way.
“All bikers wear a ton of 'hats.' I'm a father, a grandfather, an uncle, a guitar player, an electrician. This is just one of the many things I do, and people don't realize that. They see you as a biker with a needle stuck in your arm and that's what you are when, of course, you are so many different things. The stereotype isn't us,” Lupica said.
Currently, the Fort Wayne Outlaws are involved in appealing a ruling that could seize their clubhouse under the RICO statute. The statute was created to go after the assets of organized crime. Its use has now spread to a variety of prosecutions. It allows the federal government to seize the assets and property of organizations involved in criminal activity. Because one of the Outlaws' members was prosecuted for having drugs in his house, the federal government is trying to seize the clubhouse. Lupica said their most recent appeal to keep the clubhouse has failed, but they plan to file another appeal.
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