Meet George Christie - the former president of one of the chapters (branches) of the largest and coolest motorcycle club in the United States and the world, the Hells Angels motorcycle club.
Anton Gorodetsky
For almost 68 years, this organization - recognized as illegal in America - has been roaming the country in leather jackets with patches, roaring engines, keeping civilians awake, and under the cover of night doing all sorts of dark things - from selling drugs to killing members of rival motorcycle gangs. George will lay out the whole ins and outs of the adventures of the legendary Hells Angels on the History TV channel in the new documentary series Outlaws: Hells Angels, but he told MAXIM the most important things right now.
First, explain how you got into the Hells Angels.
I was about nineteen years old when I realized that I was not satisfied with the then state of affairs in society, that it was time to change something. Well, everything is as usual: youthful ardor, rebellious spirit. I met and hung out with a local biker gang, the Question Marks, and bought my first motorcycle. Through the "Questionary" I learned about the "Hell's Angels" - they were already the most powerful gangsters and hooligans in the district. For me at that time the words "bandit" and "hero" were synonymous, so I did not think long when I was called to the "Angels".
Do you still think so about synonyms?
I think, yes. A man outside the law is one who knows how to think for himself and does not allow anyone to tell him what to do and how he is supposed to think.
"Hell's Angels" are natural bandits, they killed people, they sold drugs. How does the whole gang still walk free?
Firstly, officially we were and are peaceful motorists. That is, in fact, it is still necessary to prove who is killing whom there. Secondly, many of ours, if they got involved in some kind of dark affairs, then they got what they deserved - the US legal system does not sleep. In this sense, bikers are no different from ordinary citizens: committed a proven crime? Go to jail, give back to society, reflect on your mistakes, come back and try to be better than yourself. Although many in the States, of course, have dreamed and are dreaming of jailing us all simply for the very fact of our existence.
Well, let's say you are quietly running your business - say, selling and repairing motorcycles - and then some muddy guys appear on your territory who open the same salon a stone's throw from yours. How did the Angels solve the problem?
Manly: talking. I ran for president for 35 years, traveled a lot around the States and even around Europe precisely in order to solve such problems. Mostly fought with the Bandidos (another extremely popular motorcycle club in the USA - ed.), but there were skirmishes with both Outlaws and Mongols, several times with Pagans. Every time they tried to understand the problem in words. It happened, of course, that the situation got out of control, and then it was necessary to use force ... But before you reproach us, answer me this question: why are we worse, for example, politicians? At the state level, everything happens in exactly the same way.
The right to bear arms cannot be taken away from people.
And what is the sensational story with the "Mongols"?
The conflict is old, it has been going on since 1977. It all started in Southern California, at one of the biker parties in Los Angeles. Like many male fights, this one started over a woman.
Biker Trojan War.
Ha ha, exactly. It means that a “Mongol” comes in in the company of the ex-wife of one of ours. As he saw, immediately on them with his fists. Insults rained down, bar stools flew. At some point, one of the newcomers tore off a piece of a stripe from the back of one of ours - this is generally sacred for bikers, they can easily be beaten for this. They declared that now this is their territory and they didn’t care if we like it or not. In short, word for word, the fight quickly turned into a brawl. The shooting began, then more skirmishes happened, even some people were blown up, many were laid down, many were imprisoned. I look from the height of the past years and understand: it was not worth it.
Do you think that the right of civilians to freely buy and carry weapons is justified? To the cinema, for example, or there to the kindergarten?
In general, yes. Of course, recently the number of cases of unjustified use of weapons has gone off scale, but these are particulars: we are not shown how a weapon saved the life of a family and helped protect itself from thieves. It is necessary to tighten the rules for obtaining weapons, but it is impossible to deprive people of the right to carry them.
You can immediately see a person who is with a gunshot on “you”. Do you regret anything you did? Maybe you want to apologize for something or someone?
No, I don't regret anything and I'm not going to apologize for anything. I will say this: there were mistakes, yes, but I learned from them and continue to learn. I'm only human, we all make mistakes. I consider all my mistakes as stepping stones on the way to happiness for myself and people close to me.
It's clear. Skirmishes skirmishes, and from non-life-threatening entertainment was there something?
Yes, a good biker has a lot of fun in life. We were masters in our territory, we rode bikes all day long, swaggered in clubs. The most important thing, of course, is the indescribable feeling of true freedom that you experience when you ride a motorcycle along the highway. Wind, speed and crazy courage.
I heard you were good friends with celebrities. Tell me, with which of the famous guys did you drink?
We were friends with Jerry Garcia from the Grateful Dead. With Mickey Rourke, too, with Robert Patrick are well known. Who else... David Carradine, of course. Yes, a lot of people from the industry. Ah, Michael Madsen is a very good friend of mine. Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper - I was friends with all these guys and had a nice party.
They had a good time with the Grateful Dead, with Mickey Rourke, David Carradine. Yes, with many
Cool! And what does the former president of the charter do in his spare time from the presidency? Boxing? Knitting?
I am a big fan of martial arts, I still do them. I spend a lot of time with my wife Nikki, we have two children. Daughters are soon twenty-three, and the boy is twelve.
Will a son follow in his father's footsteps?
It is unlikely. He shows no interest in motorcycles, more and more fiddling with computers, knows how to program, even creates his own toys. He doesn't care about my culture, to be honest. But I still love him and support him in any endeavor.
What is your favorite bike? Do you ride on four wheels at all?
Custom Harley-Davidson, no surprises here. Comfortable as a woman. I've had it since the 70's, nothing better for traveling around Southern California.
Have you heard anything about Russian bikers? We've got the Night Wolves out here these days, with the Surgeon at the head.
Well, I heard that I would very much like to see him if and when I come to Russia. He seemed to want to look into the States himself, but he was forbidden ... I really wonder how everything is arranged here in this regard: culture, people. I once met the Night Wolves in the 80s, it's interesting to see what they have become. By the way, is it true in the States that the Surgeon is a good friend of your President?
And then. As a bully and a biker, how do you like the idea of close cooperation between the authorities and motorcycle clubs?
Subtle question. I think bikers have the right to express their philosophical and political views on life, and if they coincide with the state ones, then so be it. The surgeon is a smart man, once he guessed to turn his motorcycle club into a powerful political unit. The United States didn't think of that.
Then it will be interesting for you to know that he recently personally signed an appeal to our senators with a request to ban the activities of the Russian branch of the Hells Angels.
Really?.. Well, now I want to see him even more.
For the first episode of Outlaw Chronicles: Hells Angels, see Outlaw Chronicles: Hells Angels. today at 22:00 on History TV- and let the dark secrets of the legendary motorcycle club be revealed to you.
Bikers from the middle of the 20th century terrified the inhabitants of "one-story America". The roar of engines meant one thing - we must quickly close the doors and wait out the invasion.
Hells Angels MC
Year and place of creation: 1948, San Francisco, California.
Motto: Better to be the King of Hell than a servant in Paradise.
Emblem (patch): Skull with wings. It is believed to be an adaptation of the US Air Force 85th Fighter Squadron by Frank Sadlick.
Colors: White and red. Hence another name "Hell's Angels" - "red-white".
Story: The history of the "Hell's Angels" motorcycle club began after the Second World War. According to the official version, the pilots of the Hell's Angels squadron became its founders and first members. After the war, they were never able to socialize. Yesterday the heroes - today they were on the sidelines of life. The feeling of being lost caused a protest, which resulted in the creation of the club.
The most famous figure in the movement is still recognized as Ralph Hubert Berger, better known under the pseudonym Sonia Berger. Thanks to his efforts, the Hells Angels became what they became - the largest 1% biker club in the world.
Berger opened many chapters (branches) around the world, spent more than 20 years in prison, starred in films. Sonny's fame also brought an open letter to US President Lyndon Johnson, which he wrote during the Vietnam War. He requested that he and the other Hells Angels be sent to war because "a group of trained gorillas could demoralize the Viet Cong." The letter remained unanswered.
"Hell's Angels" have been participants in the "biker wars" more than once, the most famous of which was the "Quebec Massacre", which lasted 8 years - from 1994 to 2002. It killed more than 150 motorcyclists. Hells angels won.
The popularity of the Hells Angels has been reinforced by culture. Films were made about them, Hunter Thompson wrote a book.
Outlaws MC
Year and place of creation: 1935, McCook, Illinois.
Motto: God forgives, Outlaws don't.
Emblem (patch): Skull and crossed pistons.
Story: The Outlaws are the oldest 1% biker club. The term "one percent" was coined in 1947, when after the infamous Hollister incident, when bikers went on a rampage, the president of the American Motorcycle Association declared that 99% of motorcycle riders were law-abiding citizens. Biker gangs took this statement as a challenge. Immediately, rhombuses with 1% began to appear on their jackets - by this they made it clear that they live by their own laws. and the law of society is not written to them.
The history of the "Criminals" is closely associated with wars with other biker clubs and with the police. Outlaw received serious development in the 2000s, when the club opened many chapters in America, Europe and Australia. In 2004 "Criminals" opened their first chapter in Russia.
Pagans MC
Year and place of creation: 1959, Prince George County, Maryland.
Motto:"To live and die."
Emblem (patch): Norwegian fiery giant Surtr, sitting on the Sun with a sword.
Story: Unlike the rest of the "One Percent" "Pagans" do not wear a lower rocker indicating the territory of the chapter. This is due to confidentiality when meeting with representatives of the law. Dressed in torn denim jackets, the Pagans have been waging a turf war with other outlaw clubs for years. Recently, due to the expansion of the influence of the Hells Angels, the number of "pagans" has been declining, but they still have an extensive network of chapters on the East Coast of the United States. The Gentiles are headquartered in Pennsylvania.
A recruit who has reached the age of 21 with a Harley of at least 900 cubic meters can join the club. Before being accepted into the brotherhood, the neophyte must go through several rituals that will determine the degree of his loyalty to the ideas and principles of the "pagans".
Bandidos MC
Year and place of creation: 1966, San Leon, Texas.
Motto: We are the ones our parents used to scare us with.
Emblem (patch): The Bandidos patch features a Mexican man in a sovbrero and poncho with a pistol and machete. The founder of the club, Donald Chambers, served in the US Marine Corps, so he chose gold and scarlet as the colors, as in the emblem of the Marines.
Story: Since the early days, Bandidos have lived up to their name. They were repeatedly involved in criminal stories with drug trafficking, weapons, robberies and the sale of stolen motorcycles.
In 2004, one of the Bandidos, Richard Merlo, stabbed super lightweight boxing champion Robert Quiroga for insulting him. Merlo was expelled from the Bandidos, but the biker does not repent of his deed - according to the motorcycle club's code of honor, the worst offense is "insulting a brother." The club has been outlawed by the FBI and CID Canada, but that doesn't stop Bandidos from developing a network of chapters around the world, from European countries to New Zealand.
Mongols MC
Year and place of creation: 1969, Montebello, California.
Motto: Respect the few, fear none
Emblem (patch): The club's patch features a bald-headed Genghis Khan with a pigtail and dark glasses. 
Story: The "Mongols" were originally formed from Hispanics who, for racial reasons, were not taken to the "Hell's Angels". The Mongols initially positioned themselves as an outlaw club. They never made deals with the law and other clubs, except that for the war with the hated "Angels" they could act together with the same Pagans. In general, the "Mongols" are considered one of the most criminalized and uncompromising biker communities. They have been involved in criminal stories more than once (drugs, weapons, robberies, kidnappings, fights). Periodically, the police conduct special operations with this biker club, but the popularity of the "Mongols" only grows from this. Mongols have a network of chapters in the USA, Europe, Australia, New Zealand.
Photo: http://affa.hells-angels.com/ (1)
http://outlawsmcworld.com/ (2)
patriotsmc.frbb.net (3)
http://www.bandidosmc.com/ (4)
http://mongolsmc.com/ (5)
Motto: Better to be the King of Hell than a servant in Heaven
The most famous and radical bike club in the United States is Hells Angels MC (Hell's Angels). This club is the most numerous (about 2000-2500 members) and has chapters (branches) all over the world, including Russia.
Hells Angels Moto Club appeared in 1948 in San Bernardino (according to other sources in San Francisco) in California from several motorcycle clubs. A little later, the president of the San Francisco branch, Frank Sadlick, came up with the sign of the Hells Angels - the head of death (skull with wings).
In 1960, Auckland club president Sonny Barger (real name Ralph Hubert Barger) registered the club's logo, red and white, and created a charter that required to become a full member of the club:
Reach level 4 in a club
- Arrange mass arrivals only with the permission of local authorities and the leadership of the chapter
If possible, do not break the law and be friends with the authorities
Pay dues
Thanks to the charisma of Barger, the California bike club spread first in the United States and then around the world. Under him, the club became so popular that during a tour of the United States, The Rolling Stones took on members of the club as bodyguards.
It was Barger who turned an ordinary motorcycle club into a registered trademark. Trading in biker paraphernalia and motorcycles, the club annually made a profit of tens of millions of dollars a year. However, very soon, the Hells Angels realized that they could make a lot more money selling drugs. Hells Angels MC belong to the group of bikers of the so-called 1% (these are groups of motorcyclists who are outlaws. This name was given after the speech of the head of the American Motorcyclist Association, who stated that 99% of bikers are law-abiding citizens).
The "Hell's Angels" began to turn into a gang group, whose members increasingly became former criminals. This motorcycle club occupies a leading position in the ratings of the FBI and Interpol. In all lists of the most dangerous bikers in the world, he takes first place. This is caused by the criminal activities of the members of the club: the sale of drugs, major skirmishes with other bike clubs, looting, control of prostitution and other hard-hitting activities. The club is constantly being persecuted by the authorities.
But despite all the criminal activity, the Hells Angels, at least in the US chapters, are very patriotic. They annually take part in parades on Independence Day and other national holidays in the United States. During the outbreak of the Vietnam War, the president of the club informed Washington that the members of the club were ready to form their own unit and go to fight.
The symbol of this club is a characteristic skull with wings, red and white colors. On a denim or leather jacket on the chest there are 4 rectangular patches, which reflect the name of the club, chapter, nickname of the club member and his position in the club. On the back, there is usually a "1%" sign and abbreviations.
Now the Hells Angels remain the most radical, but also the most desirable club for bikers around the world. They are the elite of the global bike community and every biker dreams of joining this club.
Saturday, 18 June 2011
On Friday, the biker procession Moscow - Minsk with the icon of Blessed Valentina Minska began. It would seem that what is common between bikers and procession?
This question is asked because the image of a biker in our minds is formed by the news and films of the West, in which the biker appears as a drunkard, a sex pervert, a bearer of satanic attributes and a drug addict.
In the West, there really is a powerful network biker association called "Hell's Angels". A big headache for the police, stoned crime on wheels in all the ambiguities of this phrase. Unfortunately, now the dark subculture of "angels" is being channeled into Russia. Last year, the first big hangouts of the guys confused by them took place in Moscow.
But there are other clubs as well. Some of them do not share the ideology of the fallen angels, some oppose them. In Russia, the Night Wolves motorcycle club belongs to the latter. How it happened that Russian bikers took up all-round defense, saying who they would not become under any circumstances, is the secret of conscience and freedom. On the one hand, everyone is endowed with a moral sense and the ability to distinguish the meanings of what is happening, on the other hand, does everyone use this gift?
But since a person is free, and bikers are people, it means that the truth is revealed to them. The truth of "Night Wolves" is that Hell's Angels have no place on our earth. In this, the "Night Wolves" see their mission here - to save the Russian world from the evil that does not hide its goals, behaves impudently and discredits the biker movement in Russia as well as abroad.
It is noteworthy that in recent years, guys from Serbia and Germany, who have become fed up with the satanism of frostbitten "angels", have joined the "Night Wolves". Thus, "Night Wolves" go beyond the CIS, becoming a transnational culture. The watershed in the world of bikers no longer passes by countries, but by value vectors.
Hence the request of the "Night Wolves", with which Alexander Zaldostanov, known in the world of bikers as the Surgeon, addresses us: caution and sobriety when meeting with bright and exciting phenomena, whether it is bikerism in sixes and pentagrams or the temptation to go all out. Not all those bikers that shine. Not all those angels who call themselves such (the Surgeon warned about this live on the radio station "Moscow Speaks")
I note that this warning of the Surgeon is quite in tune with the first commandment of Orthodox asceticism.
So in the world of bikers, a hellish scythe found a Russian stone. And the cross bike ride Moscow-Minsk is only the very top of this block. We must look deeper - and deeper - spiritual warfare.
"Bike Prayer" was held this Friday, June 17, at 10 am, in the bike center "Night Wolves" (Nizhniye Mnevniki, 110). Anticipating our prayer, I said that if we have Heaven above our heads, then there will be earth under our feet.
He wished the children the highest freedom in Christ.
And after the prayer service, it was decided that this pilgrimage would also be dedicated to the protection of our pregnant sisters and their unborn babies, to the prayer that the amendments made to the draft law "On protecting the health of citizens" to help mothers would be passed. Such a peculiar response of "Night Wolves" to the aura of death promoted by the angels of hell.
This is great. Take the subculture, grind it down, throw out all the abominations (such as socialized girls, earning money on prostitutes and drug trafficking, which Aa-shniks are famous for in the West), reach Christianity - and start spreading Christianity in neighboring and not only countries.
When we performed the rite about travelers, we read that passage from the Acts of the Apostles, which tells how the Angel of the Lord directed Philip on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, along which a high-ranking Ethiopian official was traveling. The official puzzled over Isaiah's prophecies about the meek and suffering Messiah. Heeding the advice of the Spirit of God, Philip started a conversation with the one riding in the chariot, told him about Christ and, at his request, baptized him in the nearest stream.
So, God forbid that the "Night Wolves" bite the "angels of hell."
Addition. Who are the "Hell's Angels" and what are they campaigning for:
Hells Angels- one of the largest motorcycle clubs in the world, which has its chapters (branches) around the world. Included, along with "Outlaws MC", "Pagans MC" and "Bandidos MC", the so-called "big four" outlaw clubs and is the most famous among them.
Law enforcement agencies in several countries call the club a “motorcycle gang” and accuse it of drug trafficking, racketeering, trafficking in stolen goods, violence, murder, etc. Club members claim to be peaceful motorcycle enthusiasts who have united for joint motorcycle races, meetings and holding social events.
In the 1960s, Ralph Hubert Barger, better known as Sonny Barger, became the president of the Oakland (California, USA) branch (over time, he became not only the head of the Oakland chapter, but also the president of Hells Angels MC world"). Barger first registered the Hells Angels brand and the winged skull symbolism. Under him, bikers for the first time began to regularly make motorcycle races and pay membership dues. Thanks to Barger's charisma and natural talent for PR, not only the Oakland chapter, but the Hells Angels as a whole, became the most famous motorcycle club in the world.
In particular, Sonny himself and a number of club members starred in several Hollywood films, and during the Vietnam War, Barger wrote a letter to US President Lyndon B. Johnson that received wide press coverage:
« TO PRESIDENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON
1600 Penn Avenue
Washington (District of Columbia)
Dear Mr. President:
On behalf of myself and on behalf of my comrades, I am gathering a group of American volunteers loyal to the authorities to fulfill their duty in Vietnam, in the rear of regular units. We believe that a select group of trained militants will demoralize the Viet Cong and hasten the triumph of the cause of freedom. We are ready to start training and doing our duty immediately.
Sincerely,
RALPH BARGER JR.
Oakland, California
Hell's Angels President
wiki
And if we or our relatives are drawn to rush into bikers, we will be more attentive so as not to inadvertently run into infernal nonsense in a biker outfit.
Hieromonk Dimitry (Pershin)
____________________________________
And they really go beyond the CIS:
Bikers from the United States sent applications to join the club "Night Wolves", said the leader of the motorcycle club Alexander Zaldostanov, known as the Surgeon.
“We have several requests from America to open a branch of the Night Wolves. We haven't given permission yet. We do not give our names to everyone. Time must pass, there are certain laws, they must get to know us,” he said.
According to him, not only Americans show interest in the Russian bike club. “When I ask foreigners why you need to open branches of the Night Wolves, they answer: because it is from Russia, because there is something in it that is not found in any bike organization, there is a spirit,” said the Surgeon quoted by Russian News Service.
The day before, the United States imposed sanctions against 24 citizens of Russia and Ukraine, as well as a number of companies. This list includes the leader of Russian bikers Alexander Zaldostanov (Surgeon) and the Night Wolves motorcycle club.
In March last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin presented club leader Alexander Zaldostanov, known by the nickname Surgeon, with the Order of Honor for "active work in the patriotic education of youth, participation in search work and perpetuating the memory of the fallen defenders of the Fatherland."
So, are you ready to join the coolest biker family? Then get on the road! Don't know what to take with you? Well, what are you! We told you about. We hope you've heard of these guys, well, the ones that are Hell's Angels. But just in case, let's explain: this is the largest cult motorcycle club. Maybe you've at least heard of a piece that old Hunter Thompson wrote about those devilish angels?
The Hells Angels have their own branches around the world, so it's not that hard to find them. Why do so many people know about them? Well, perhaps because they were labeled with bandit labels. No, we do not say that they are good boys, although the representatives of this biker club themselves have long claimed that they never went against the authorities and the law. In fact, everything is different.
If you rely on the legend, then the idea of this impressive motorcycle club was born during the Second World War. Namely, in the US Air Force there was a 303rd heavy bomber squadron with the name "Hell's Angels". After the end of the war, the pilots were left without work. They believed that their country, for which they were ready to give their lives, had betrayed them. The defenders were left to fend for themselves, and so they decided to go all out. A riot broke out, the former pilots sat down at powerful bikes and actually declared war on the government.
In a certain biker gang, the president was immediately determined (the most important of the bikers of the motorcycle club), and it was Frank Sadlik. This is not the president of the entire vast gang, but only a representative of a branch from San Francisco. In general, it was this Frank who was the creator of the legendary motorcycle club logo - a skull with wings. Literally at the same time, they determined that the official colors of the club would be red and white.
It wasn't until the 1960s that the Hells Angels had a definite system. They began to regularly arrange motorcycle races, pay membership fees, they had a certain charter. All this came to the Angels with the appearance of Sonny Barger in their gang. This guy officially registered the logo of the motorcycle club. It was thanks to his ingenuity and charisma that the Hells Angels club became the most popular in the whole world.
During the Vietnam War, Barger wrote a letter to the President of the United States that received extensive press coverage. It is he who publishes in his novel "Hell's Angels":
To President Lyndon B. Johnson
1600 Penn Avenue
Washington (District of Columbia)
Dear Mr. President!
On behalf of myself and on behalf of my comrades, I am gathering a group of American volunteers loyal to the authorities to fulfill their duty in Vietnam, in the rear of regular units. We believe that a select group of trained militants will demoralize the Viet Cong and hasten the triumph of the cause of freedom. We are ready to start training and doing our duty immediately.
Sincerely,
Ralph Barger Jr.
Oakland, California
Hell's Angels President
The Hells Angels continue to grow. Do you want to know if they have a branch in Russia? Of course there is, and there is one in such countries as the USA, New Zealand, Great Britain, Switzerland, Germany, Australia, Austria, Canada, Holland, Denmark, France, Brazil, Norway, Sweden, South Africa, Italy, Liechtenstein, Finland, Spain , Belgium, Argentina, Greece, Portugal, Chile, Croatia, Luxembourg, Hungary, Dominican Republic, Turkey, Poland, Iceland, Ireland, Malta, Thailand, Slovenia, Slovakia, Serbia, Romania, Ukraine, Lithuania, Japan, Latvia, Estonia, Cyprus, etc. In general, if you think that you are ready to become one of them, then you will definitely find a place.
In addition to the "skull with wings" symbol, members of the motorcycle club often use the number "81". These are the serial numbers of the letters "H" and "A" in the English alphabet. A similar combination can be seen on members of the "support clubs", as the full name "Hells Angels" can only be worn by full members of the Hells Angels.
The Angels are under constant surveillance by the police. Attempts are regularly made to introduce government employees into the heart of the motorcycle club. One of these infiltrations ended for the Angels with the arrest of 52 members. This is because, in addition to legal business, the Angels are credited with the sale of weapons, drugs, racketeering, control over prostitution and other gang activities. But not all Hells Angels representatives were involved in this, so do not grumble and blame them.
Maybe now you will also become infected with a thirst for freedom, only a powerful bike and an impressive leather jacket will help you. Follow the Angels if nothing scares you anymore.
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