Dr Jarrod Gilbert Sociologist
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Dangerous Arrests

24/3/2015

17 Comments

 
PictureLady Justice in the dark: Me and Terry, one of the arrested men.
"In what society can't you hang out with mates?" so asks one bloke in this Sky News clip from Australia. It's worth a watch, because the recent arrests of three Brisbane men have important implications.

With typical humour, Hells Angel Terry McCormick jokes with media about having no time to do his hair as he is led away in handcuffs. His alleged crime stems from riding in a Poker Run organised by his club, the Brisbane chapter of the Hells Angels.

Such events are common all around the world and combine motorcycling with the popular card game. Those with the best hands at the end of the day win prizes.

Under Queensland's so called 'anti bikie' laws, the right to publicly associate has been curtailed. Given these laws are based on faulty logic (see here) it won't be a surprise that I am concerned by the arrests, but for more than just the obvious reasons.

Terry has been public in speaking out against the laws. His arrest, then, will work to threaten free speech and peaceful political dissent. All for the sake of a Poker Run.

When I was researching the Queensland laws I got to know Terry. I liked him. He's got a hint of Aussie larrikinism, but he's a solid bloke and great company. Do I think he's exempt from the law? No, of course not. If he commits a crime he should be prosecuted. But these laws are ill conceived  and dangerous. As a friend, I wish him well.

As an academic, I hope Terry's prosecution acts as a test case by which the High Court will strike these laws from the books (the previous attempt to do so was strangled by a technicality). Regardless of what you think of groups like the Hells Angels, laws like those in Queensland have no place in free and democratic societies. That being so, they should concern us all.


17 Comments
Jay link
26/3/2015 06:47:48 am

WORD!

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Jo
26/3/2015 02:32:07 pm

I only found out to day that liquor shops are fined 11. 000 dollars for serving a club member even if he is on his own , good on Terry for making history and hopefully he can set the precedent in the process !

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josh sutton
26/3/2015 08:49:27 am

I have personally meet terry in unrelated terms to the hells angels and he is one of the nicest blokes i have ever meet and is a top bloke. These laws are ridiculous and should be changed.

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David Dowker link
26/3/2015 01:29:54 pm

Queensland Biggest Problem is ICE which doesn't do anybody any charity except for the Organised crime syndicates. And totally destroys good human Nature in peoples. Motor Bike Club Riders Collect A Hell of a Lot of Money regularly for Charities,And because a Totally Corrupt Politician seen a History Film a couple of times has a Brainfart and Says to throw suspicion off Our Corruptness selling Off Queensland's Assets and fucking Up the Barrier Reef We'll Make Examples and Escape Goats out of the Bad Boy Image of the Movie Portrait Bike no Limits. Totally Opposite to what most Bike Riders and Club Bike Riders are about. Most of these People and that's all they are Normal mums and Dads and Morals and Methods which we all share. Common sense has been Over looked in all the money's spent to stop People enjoying themselves doing what they Like to do Ride there bikes with there Friends and families.
It Human Nature to feel secure in company of other People

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Gibson Atherton
26/3/2015 03:32:43 pm

You certainly would expect draconian laws like these to be implemented in communist countries but not here in a supposed country that our fore fathers fought to keep free and democratic

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Chrissy Bell link
26/3/2015 03:47:14 pm

not to mention the Yandina 5 arrested and locked up for having a beer, most were family members, it was a long fight to get them out. By the way it's not hard to be classified an associate.

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Glenno
26/3/2015 05:02:41 pm

To be arrested as charged, a third person had to be found to be 'in public' with the two Hells Angels. So who did the police eventually find? A bloke that wore a 'Support 81' T-shirt. Yep, that's right these guys all got arrested and face six months in jail because a person on the ride bought a t-shirt off ebay and wore it on the ride, thereby becoming a 'participant' in the Hells Angels M.C.

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Terry HAMCB
26/3/2015 07:16:21 pm

Hello people I am confident the charges we face will fail .this was a PR stunt by the old bill to keep some points on the board.they lost ground in the public arena when we held our ride and felt compelled to save face with these arrests.the person they allege to be the third participant is not nor has ever been a hang round prospect or member so it will be interesting to see how they try to sell it to a court ,tho I'm sure they are not above lying there will be many obstacles they will need to overcome to propagate their lie.Im proud to call jarrod a friend
I am also grateful to him for his interest in the state of affairs that qld has plunged into and the treatment of its citizens.If a man has not found things in his life he would die for then he doesn't deserve to live ,big words I know but I stepped up as have others so the question here is will you jim Morrison said they got the guns but we got the numbers it was true then as it is now freedom isn't free use it or lose it
jarrod forgot to mention I'm a kiwi living in a penal colony thanks to all my brothers friends and well wishers that have helped us continue in our struggle for equality democracy and freedom Live the life you love love the life you live

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Griz Hart link
2/8/2015 04:56:58 pm

As the story goes, when the troops came for the book readers nobody spoke up.... the the troops came for the church goers, still nobody spoke up, when they came for the store keepers I didn't speak up.... and when they finally came for me, their was nobody left to speak for me.... our freedoms and rights came at the expense of many lives, either WW2 or Vietnam it doesn't matter. What matters is our freedoms being eroded away by petty politicians using terror tactics on an unsuspecting stupid public in cohorts with the media (read Murdoch).... As the saying goes...when injustice becomes law , resistance becomes duty.
From one Kiwi to another, I respect your stance.

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Mark HAMCB
1/8/2016 06:53:29 am

So sad he will now never see the out come of the court case after all he sacrificed .
We will never forget you brother , your relentless determined commitment and all the work you did .
Forever in our hearts ..
RIP AFFA BBFL

Mouse
28/3/2020 03:38:23 pm

GBNF Terry
You made an impact on everyone that meet you.. me being one
The last time we spoke we were at a friends funeral( one of many that year) and you gave me a hug and told me next time we catch up it won’t be at a funeral... it never happened because the next one was yours 😓
I wish more had the staunchness you had
See you on the other side

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Ron Perschbacher link
27/3/2015 03:18:51 am

Keep up the good fight. These bias assholes can be voted out of office.Fight for the right that everyone should be worried about ,No freedom of speech or assembly. Once they take away the bikers rights whats stopping from taking yours MLH&R SUPPORT 81 FOREVER.

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Travis link
28/3/2015 04:27:17 pm

Stand up for your rights terry you are one of the nicest blokes I've ever met if I had a bike I would have been there with you brother hope they wake up and see wat there doin is wrong in every way unhumain lots of happy thoughts from trav and family

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Jay link
29/3/2015 12:21:34 am

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Shona
1/8/2016 10:24:36 am

Terry was my brother. He survived an awful chilhood to grow into a passionate, intense, loyal , smart, witty & compassionate man. He was my knight in shining armour & my protector. He was always there for me. He was fiercely proud of his neices & nephew. As a young boy he suffered so many injustices that it was no surprise that he took up the challenge to fight fir what was right. My proudest moment was when he walked me down he isle nearly 3 years ago. I am proud to be his sister. My heart is breaking at your passing & I look forward to the day we are together again. I love you. Shona

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Shona
1/8/2016 10:22:15 am

Terry was my brother. He survived an awful chilhood to grow into a passionate, intense, loyal , smart, witty & compassionate man. He was my knight in shining armour & my protector. He was always there for me. He was fiercely proud of his neices & nephew. As a young boy he suffered so many injustices that it was no surprise that he took up the challenge to fight fir what was right. My proudest moment was when he walked me down he isle nearly 3 years ago. I am proud to be his sister. My heart is breaking at your passing & I look forward to the day we are together again. I love you. Shona xx

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Franco
3/8/2016 04:52:59 am

Condolences to Tuey and family. You showed me lifes worth the punches i am sorry youve had feel another of lifes cruel events losing your dad.much love franco

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