From: Patrick.Martin@f825.n102.z1.fidonet.org (Patrick Martin)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.dirt
Subject: B2V 92
Date: 5 Jan 1993 11:10:29 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu



... The following is from the AMA District 37 January '93 newsletter ...

 -=+ Keith Collins Arrested for Barstow to Vegas Protest +=-

...[in Keith's own words...]

"It has always been easy throughout history to get oneself in trouble by
being out of step with the politically correct thoughts of the day.  But
once you have made up your mind that a particular law (or bureaucratic
rule in my case) violates your rights as a citizen, what else can you do
but engage in civil disobedience.  To do anything else is cowardly. 


Society won't listen to you unless you are willing to hang it all out.
Examples are everywhere, from the civil rights marches and the anti-war 
demonstrations of the 60s, to the pro-life blockades and gay rights
protests of today.  Whether or not you agree with any of those causes,
you have to respect the courage of those who do and who have acted on
their convictions.


As dirt bikers go, we must be image conscious these days.  Certainly we
want to get the word out to our fellow riders that the days of riding
rudely, creating unsightly hillclimbs near residential areas, and taking
our mufflers off are over.

But, if you have done all you can to be a good guy, and then someone
tries to deprive you of your rights, its time to fight back.

Barstow to Vegas is like that.

We all know that BLM's decisions have been driven purely by
environmental ravings--there is no science nor logic to their
justifications for stopping the race.  And stopping the protest is
outright illegal!

I may lose with what I'm trying to do.  Civil rights are violated every
day and the victim is often never vindicated because his/her problem
just isn't important enough for people to take the time to help.  They
don't think it can happen to them.  Or, and this is much worse,
sometimes we throw one person out of the sleigh to pacify the pursuing
wolves.  But the wolves always come back for more.

I want to thank the Sahara Club for paving the way for what I did.
Their courage in 1990 showed that the BLM's threat of a big fine and
jail sentence for protest riders is just a lot of hot air."

-Keith Collins

....[and, more from an anonymous AMA District 37 author...]

On Saturday, November 28, Keith Collins, President of Ridgecrest M.C.,
was arrested for protesting the BLM's Barstow to Vegas land closure.
With an American flag in hand, Keith rode his KX500 past the BLM's
closure signs into the old B-to-V start area.  Prior to doing so, Keith
informed all BLM personnel on the scene that it would not be necessary
to pursue him, as he would return at which time they could arrest him.

Keith was charged with three violations; violating the closure order,
riding in a closed area, and operating an OHV off roads or trails, each
of which is a $50 federal misdemeanor violation.

A tentative court date is set for early January.  He may request a jury
trial at that time--but there's no guarantee he'll get one.

Keith believes the BLM's efforts to prevent an effective protest of the
B-to-V races's cancellation comes dangerously close to infringing on our
First Amendment rights.

Within the first few moments after his arrest, supporters donated $80 to
Keith's wife, Cindy, to go towards his defense.  "I am very indebted to
them for their unsolicited generosity.  I also want to thank everyone
who supported my actions visually and vocally," Keith said.

At this time Keith can use help in several ways.  If you applied for an
exemption from this year's closure and were turned down please let him
know.  If you were in attendance at the protest, and took pictures or
videotape, he could use some copies.

Finally, donations to this cause are welcome.  Any donations not used
will go to the District 37 Legal Defense Fund.

Please send donations to:

Keith Collins
1539 N. China Lake #539
Ridgecrest, CA  93555

Consider attending next year's protest and doing something peaceful and
nondestructive like Keith did this year.

...[and from the AMA District-37 Lesislative Officer, Dana Bell...]

This Thanksgiving one rider made a track across a line without a permit
and placed his future on the line.  Mr. Keith Collins; an AMA District
37 member, The District's Board representative to the BLM Ridgecrest
Office, an active member of the High Desert Multiple-Use Coalition, past
recipient of a BLM national award for volunteer conservation work, and
an employee at China Lake Naval Weapons Center, staged an individual,
carefully prepared protest against the annual closure of the traditional
Barstow to Vegas Hare & Hound.


The gathered reporters, hungry for angry words, aggressive actions or
trampled plants, were left empty handed.  The most they could say was
that he was arrested and faced a fine of up to $100,000 and a year in
jail.

Keith outsmarted them.  He told the BLM exactly what he was going to do,
ride several loops in an area already decimated by tanks and then to
return to the start area where the BLM was welcome to arrest him if they
must.  What the cameras captured and the newspapers carried was a
picture worth a thousand words for our cause and our image.

There's a lot to be said for an individual who puts his future on the
line to demonstrate his commitment to a cause, and does it with such
class.

Come next year, I just think I'll give Keith a call and see if we can go
out for a ride.

Dana Bell
AMA District 37 Legislative Officer

...[Commentary by Pat Martin..(not from D-37 newsletter)...]

Keith's actions and comments were admirable.

And there's a good chance he could use your help...both financially and,
well, you know....

Now for the BIG question...Is AMA District 37 changing their
long-standing "no comment" position on Barstow-to-Vegas Protest Rides?
The mind reels in wonder...

.....[..AWARD TIME...]....

And to Dana Bell goes the _Mikhail Gorbachev Flip-Flop Award_, for not
since the fall of communism and the former staunch communist Soviet
leader turned pro-free world, pro-free enteprise and the capitalistic
way, has anyone pulled such a remarkable flip-flop...

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