Local Sports Bar Discriminates against Motorcycle Club

Around 4pm on 29 January 2007 Myself and another Blue Knight (Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club), 2 Members of B.A.C.A (Bikers Against Child Abuse) from Nashville, and The local President of the Newly Formed chapter for B.A.C.A stopped to get somthing to eat before a meeting. I myself had on a sweatshirt with colors and the other Blue Knight was wearing his vest and colors, the 2 members of B.A.C.A had on vests with patches for B.A.C.A which is not colors but patches just like Harley or any other patch, and the other person had on a jacket with a colorful jester which is no where near colors.

We came in and sat at a table when a lady came to the table and took our order and then stated that we would have to "take our colors off". We asked why and she told us the bar didnt allow colors, when advised that the only one that had on colors was myself in a sweatshirt and the other Blue Knight she stated that we would all have to take them off or leave.

At that point I asked her if she knew that was considered Discrimination and was against the law and had been upheld by the US Supreme Court, she stated that she didn't care. The no-colors policy was Murphey's Law (i.e., Murphy's Bar so Murphy's Law). I also told her that two of us were members in a Law Enforcement Club and 2 others were Members of Bikers Against Child Abuse and didnt want to cause any problems. She stated she didnt care that it was her bar and there weren't any colors going to be worn. Again we were asked to leave.

Once outside in the parking lot the City of Maryville Police Department was called to complete an Incident Report for the actions that had taken place. The officer arrived and was advised what had happened. I was told that he wouldn't do a report and his department didn't do reports for that. He stated that the business had had problems before, and he could see by the way that we were dressed (with leather and vest) why we were asked to leave. He also stated it was not against any law, he was advised that he was incorrect, and it was against the law and had been upheld in the courts. He again stated that he or his department would not do any type of report.

I shook his hand and told him thanks for his time but I felt he was wrong this time.

Respectfully submitted by,

Rick Courtney

Blue Knights Motorcycle Club

New Market,TN

Blue Knights M.C.