Chapter 20 Summary and Analysis

An annual motorcycle rally, sponsored by the American Motorcycle Association (AMA), is held each June at Laconia, New Hampshire. There is a mutual antipathy between the AMA and the Hell's Angels. Because of the huge distances between California and the rally and the general feelings of ill will about AMA events, Hell's Angels typically do not attend the rally. In 1963 rioting and violence marred the Laconia rally. The National Guard and police subdued the unruly crowd and the annual rally was canceled in 1964. New facilities, further from town, were constructed; and the 1963 debacle was blamed on the Hell's Angels. These accusations were not substantiated by any evidence.

In 1965 the stage was set for a repeat of violence. Local law enforcement mustered en masse for expected trouble, which was not long in coming. The Laconia "motorcycle riot" of 1965 involved hundreds of arrests...