Monday, October 24, 2016

70 Pagans, Hells Angels Brawl on Long Island

As many as 70 members of rival motorcycle clubs brawled during a classic car show on New York’s Long Island, leaving two people hurt. Police say members of the Pagans and Hells Angels began fighting around noon on Sunday in the parking lot of the Pennysaver Amphitheater in Farmingville. Officers managed to break up the brawl and disperse the groups. Police say two people were taken to hospital. No arrests have been made and no police complaints were filed. A large puddle of blood could be seen on the ground after the fight.

The Pagans and Hells Angels have a long history of violence against each other, particularly in the New York area. In 2010, numerous Pagans were arrested after several members of the Long Island, N.Y. chapter discussed plans to kill members of the Hells Angels.

In 2002, one Pagan member was shot and killed and at least 10 other people were injured when a confrontation erupted after Pagans decided to crash a motorcycle expo sponsored by Hells Angels. Seventy-three Pagans were convicted of or pleaded guilty to federal charges in that case.
The Pagans were established in Prince George's County, Maryland by then president Lou Dobkin, in 1959. They are active in thirteen US states: Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Michigan, Virginia, and West Virginia. The Pagans have grown through merging with other smaller Outlaw Motorcycle gangs (OMG).

Unlike most one percenter motorcycle clubs, the Pagans do not include a bottom rocker indicating the geographical chapter of the member wearing the club's full patch. It is believed the club doesn't follow this OMG tradition because they do not want law enforcement to know what state chapters individual Pagans belong to.