PORTLAND, OREGON: Pro Bono Legal Work Strikes a Blow! Police here backed off and WITHDREW their "criminal gang" designation of local biker and bar owner, Turtle, after a brief flurry of correspondence between his lawyer and the police. Oregon AIM (Aid to Injured Motorcyclists) Attorney Sam Hochberg represented Turtle at the git-go, and old Sam shot off a letter requesting a hearing, as reported recently here in the SACK. Turtle belongs to the Brother Speed Motorcycle Club. When he asked around for advice, every biker said the same: "Go see Sam." About ten years ago, Sam and Spencer "Spike" Neal represented Bobbay, a member of the same club as Turtle, and who received the same "Criminal Gang Notification." That case went on in Federal Court a loooong time, until it was finally withdrawn, but there were NO FURTHER "Criminal Gang" designations applied under this ordinance again, until now.

The Oregon COC: Ready to Help -- Turtle wasn't alone defending his rights. Had the case gone further, the Oregon Confederation of Clubs had already pledged funds to assist Turtle with costs of his defense, including a possible lawsuit against the Portland Police, if needed. Had this "designation" succeeded, the bar that Turtle worked so hard to get might have been shut down. Thankfully, Lt. Mike Leloff of the Portland Police took the high road. In his letter withdrawing Turtle's Criminal Gang Designation, he apologized for the inconvenience, and ended with this: "You may consider this matter closed." Let's hope so this time.

If you'd like to meet our hero Turtle, pay him a visit at the TURTLE SHELL, at 117th & SE Division Street, in Portland, Oregon. Whenever a citizen stands up for his rights like Turtle did, he deserves our thanks. AND, it's a nice little neighborhood bar that is also biker-friendly, if you wanna thank him with your business.