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PROTEST! "For they can conquer who believe they can" - Virgil
"If you can make a law to protect people from themselves, what is there to prevent making it a crime for a woman not to have a check for breast cancer?" he asked. Well chosen words, perhaps, since the Circuit Judge hearing the cases is a woman, Judge Ellen Burns. The Defense Attorney refers to the fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which, in part, states: No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; or shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without any do process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. Connecticut is nicknamed "The Constitution State," which seems a likely setting for such a trial. Mr. Weinstein issued a subpoena to Connecticut Motor Vehicle Commissioner Edward J. Kozlowski, but in expected bureaucratic behavior, Mr. Kozlowski was out of town at the time of the session, and his aides were unavailable. If Burton Weinstein is successful in establishing the unconstitutionality of the law, a precedent will be set, as an aid to future court trials; not only in Connecticut, but throughout the United States. If; on the other hand, the accused is found guilty, at least 99 other alleged helmet law violators are standing by, ready for the time consuming and costly jury trials. Billy Malone has not had an easy time convincing ticketed bikers to plead not guilty. The fine for a cop-out plea is only five or ten dollars, while those found guilty by a jury must cough-up 75 to ~ DO dollars. Mr. Weinstein is also working on that inequitable situation, as no one should be punished for exercising his right to a jury trial. It is taking a lot of hard work and sacrifice, but it is very likely that Connecticut bikers will eventually be victorious. Other states (among them, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Jersey) and Canada now have similar protests in effect, all patterned after Connecticut's efforts. Papa Pittsley, in organizing the CMA, has given weight by numbers to the bikers' complaints. He issues a well written periodic newsletter to CMA members, advising them of the up-to-the-minute status of the struggle, as well as encouraging them to participate in an organized manner. Rogue Herlihy, Huns M/C Prexy, works in close alliance with Huns and other club members around the country, riders who form the backbone and spearhead of massed protests, as well as attending to a thousand details such as CMA fundraising raffles and clean-up duties after protest demonstrations. Billy Malone, in organizing the Milford trials has had to actually change his life-style. Billy was a free-and-easy type dude who had no use for a telephone until his program began. Summing it up, the Connecticut protest contains certain key elements which are contributing in one way or another to bring about repeal. All of the elements mesh in the overall scheme, and all are equally important. They are: 1. The formation of the CMA, which functions as liaison, between bikers and legislators; and also serves to organize protest activities. 2. A constant barrage of intelligent letters from all over the state, to legislators, to newspapers, and magazines, presenting the bikers' side of the argument. 3. The understanding and support of several legislators. 4. Meeting with election candidates to obtain their views on the subject, followed by the full support of candidates in agreement with repeal. 5. The intelligent use of the vote, and a concentrated effort to get all bikers registered. 6. Exercising the right to plead not guilty, and to a trial by jury; regardless of the personal sacrifice. 7. Total participation in peaceful protest rally’s. 8. Obtaining a capable lawyer. 9. Total dedication to the cause. The U.S. Constitution guarantees, if not encourages, every citizen's right to protest grievances in the manner used by bikers from Connecticut. As citizens of a free country, it is our duty to legally fight for what we think is right. Our country was not founded by, or for those, who accept unjust treatment without protest. It takes dedicated leaders to be successful and it takes a lot of unsung heroes like the CMA and Huns members to apply necessary pressure each and every time it is needed. If Connecticut repeals the helmet law, it is because a lot of dedicated, deserving, energetic, and righteous people earned it. CC
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