San Luis Obispo County has seen nearly a week of anti-racism and police brutality protests — and members of motorcycle clubs have made their presence known at many demonstrations.
Motorcyclists wearing colors, jackets and vests indicating affiliations with Vagos, Moloch and Gold Coast Wheelers clubs could be spotted lining the streets of Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo and Nipomo during recent marches.
While protesters marched by and chanted the name of George Floyd — a black man who died in Minneapolis on May 28 after a police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes — some motorcyclists sported large hunting knives on their belts, and some parked their bikes diagonally in front of local businesses.
The groups claimed they were on hand to protect shops and storefronts from community concerns about vandalism and looting.
“Our whole goal behind the whole thing is we don’t want people to destroy the shops in our town,” said Byron Posey, a Vagos member.
But police officials in San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles say they don’t need assistance from civilians who haven’t received any law enforcement training.
“We don’t need untrained folks causing unintended consequences,” said Chief Ty Lewis of the Paso Robles Police Department.
Unfounded fears of vandalism
San Luis Obispo County has not experienced any vandalism connected to anti-racism protests.
On Monday night, a group of juveniles broke seven windows at three San Luis Obispo businesses, but the incident was not tied to demonstrations held earlier in the evening, police said.
Even so, unfounded fears of community destruction have run rampant on social media. Business owners in Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo and Grover Beach have boarded up their windows in anticipation of protests.
During an anti-racism march in Grover Beach on Friday, men stood on the roof of Pit Martial Arts and Fitness holding guns and wearing tactical vests. The gym owner claimed the men were serving as “a visual deterrent” to protect the business from vandalism and looting.
Posey said the Vagos members who’ve stood outside county businesses during demonstrations aren’t trying to cause trouble or make people feel uncomfortable.
He said they would try to prevent vandalism if they see it about to occur, but stopped short of saying they would resort to violence.
Posey said he hoped “us just being there,” would be enough to deter people from attacking businesses.
“Unfortunately, it’s the intimidation,” he said. “People see motorcycles and tattoos, and they’re intimidated.”
Even so, he hopes people realize that motorcycle club members “are regular people, too.”
“We have kids and families, but we’re also in a bike club,” Posey said.
