The Hells Angels is one of the most notorious motorcycle clubs in the nation. The club was started in Fontana, California on March 17th, 1948 by Otto Freidli. Several Hells Angels clubs and charters started popping up near the post war era all around California shortly after the first one formed by Otto. The club being such a californian phenomenon, it soon began to develop internationally. The name “Hells Angels” comes from world war I and II fighter squadrons. Much of what is known about the club can be attributed by founding member, and author of several books about his time spent with the Hells Angels, Ralph “sonny” Barger (Parker). The club not only grew in the United states, but all around the world. The many charters stretch from as …show more content…
On the Hells Angels website (hells-angels.com) there is a banner the reads “When we do right nobody remembers, but when we do wrong nobody forgets.” Although many of the members have lived up to their turbulent image with the arrests and conviction for drug trafficking (particularly meth) assault, weapon possession and murder. Most notably the Hells Angels purportedly plotted to kill the famous rock legend Mick Jagger. The rolling stones lead singer had reprimanded the gang after a biker got stabbed to death. Overseas, a multiyear turf war across Scandinavia involving the Hells Angels involved attacks with machine guns, rocket launchers and hand grenades tallied up and costed close to a dozen lives. More recently, three bikers were killed during a massive altercation between rival gang Mongols at a Nevada casino in 2002. Five years later in 2007, a woman was found beaten on the doorstep of one of their heavily fortified headquarters in New York City’s East village; Strongly armed police raided the building with helicopters lingered overhead, but no charges were filed immediately. Subsequently, authorities are now accustomed to treating the Hells Angels with caution. SWAT teams have carefully kept an eye on the Hells Angels’ charity motorcycle rides in the event that trouble breaks lose