Bikers Inner Circle_new - Different Versions of what happened at Bike Week Freedom Rally In Florida

Different Versions of what happened at Bike Week Freedom Rally In Florida

Here are some different views of what went on at the Bike Week Freedom Rally held at the Volusia County Fairgrounds, Deland Florida

ABATE of Florida, Inc. 2010 Daytona Bike Week Campground Update

Deland, FL, February 28, 2010 - As seen in Easyriders, FL Full Throttle and Born To Ride magazines, ABATE of Florida, Inc.’s 2010 Daytona Bike Week Campground is up and running strong, offering bikers and all motorcyclists a deeply discounted alternative to spending thousands of dollars to stay for Bike Week. We’re at the Volusia County Fairgrounds, only 20 minutes from Daytona Beach, 30 minutes from Orlando. Tent camping and R/V sites with and without hook ups are still available; food, adult beverages, vendors, and 24-hour security on site. Open now through noon March 7, 2010, call (386) 943-9610 for more information.

In addition to all our campground has to offer, there’s the biker flea market, antique bike show, farmer’s market, and the “1st Annual Bikers Rally for Freedom, Better Dead than Red” at the Fairgrounds too. Although almost all these events are great additions to share the Fairgrounds with, the “1st Annual Bikers Rally for Freedom, Better Dead than Red”, originally heralded as the “Bikers Freedom Rally”, poses some concerns with ABATE of Florida, Inc.

The “1st Annual Bikers Rally for Freedom” organizer, Rhonda Lee Welsch, contacted our State Office approximately two months ago, asking if she could hold her rally within our campgrounds. ABATE of Florida, Inc., whom has held the rights to our “Freedom Rights Rally” name for 15 years, as well as holding our Bike Week Campground at the Fairgrounds for the last 17 years, declined her request due to concerns that the public could mistakenly think that her rally was supported and endorsed by ABATE of Florida, Inc. ABATE of Florida, Inc., supports an individual’s rights, and endorses citizenry to stand up for those rights. However, we do not feel it is correct to charge money to attend a “Freedom Rally”, especially since ABATE of Florida, Inc., a 501 c(4) FL non-profit corporation has been holding a rally in Florida known under that name for many years.

Our concerns may have been justified when on Saturday February 27, 2010 we were informed that motorcycle personalities “Rogue” and “RC”, individuals known for publicly making false statements against ABATE of Florida and its President, James “Doc” Reichenbach, spoke at Rhonda Welsch’s rally to a crowd, allegedly again making slanderous statements towards ABATE of Florida. On Sunday, February 28, 2010, Doc, accompanied by three witnesses, attempted to visit Ms. Welsch’s rally around 1 pm.

Initially upon arriving where the rally was being held, RC exited the building, looked straight at Doc, and immediately turned and rapidly walked away as Doc yelled to him “hey RC, wait, I want to talk to you”. Upon seeing Doc in the lobby of the building, Ms. Welsch approached and asked if Doc wished to speak at the rally today, but then began yelling “you’re not welcome here”, “you’re creating a disturbance” and “leave, you can go now”, when Doc began calmly asking questions. Next Doc handed his business card to a Fox 35 News cameraman, and Ms. Welsch attempted several times to grab it to prevent it from being accepted. Shortly after Doc stepped outside, ABATE of Florida, Inc.’s State Sgt-At-Arms (“Mudder”) and State Public Relations Trustee (“Lockdown”) went back inside the lobby to speak with Ms. Welsch. When she saw them, she immediately began yelling “I told you to get out”, and “have you paid to be inside the rally?” After calmly reminding her that they were only in the lobby, and not inside her rally, Lockdown asked since she offered a few minutes ago for Doc to address her crowd, what time would she like him to be available? She began yelling again, this time “I didn’t say that” and “he can’t speak today” Lockdown then asked why she has not yet responded to ABATE of Florida, Inc.’s Cease & Desist (from using a name we have rights to) letter? She turned and walked away without responding. Again, Fox 35 TV recorded the entire conversation.

The events continued to unfold as Doc stood outside the building and RC exited with a group of acquaintances. Doc approached and asked about RC & Rogue’s allegedly making slanderous statements about ABATE of Florida, Inc., which RC denied. RC further stated that there was a recording made of his and Rouge’s presentations. As this conversation ensued, some of RC’s personnel stepped back and began taking photographs of Doc. Once these photographers were in place, RC began verbally provoking Doc, attempting to get Doc to strike him. Although Doc became agitated, he did not rise to the bait. This episode concluded with Rouge exiting the building with another group of people and start taking pictures of Doc departing the area.

We hereby formally request a complete copy of the February 27, 2010 recording of RC & Rouges’ presentations RC spoke about accompanied with a sworn statement from the recording agent that the recording was recorded on the correct date and has not been altered. ABATE of Florida, Inc. is also hereby publicly putting RC & Rouge on notice that should their slanderous activities continue, they, and any entity which publishes the false statements, will become targets of legal action to make ABATE of Florida, Inc. whole.

ABATE of Florida, Inc. has deep regret that other individuals’ controversial actions continue to interfere with ABATE of Florida, Inc.’s over 30 year long motorcyclists’ rights movement. Although there are other motorcyclists’ rights movements in Florida, our goals would be better obtained if we could stand together in this fight. Taking opportunities to further personal agendas for unknown reasons, at the potential cost of motorcyclists’ lives, is shameful.

“ABATE of Florida, Inc. is not affiliated in any way with Rhonda Lee Welsch, Tom Gion or www.bikeweekfreedomrally.com. ABATE of Florida, Inc. has been holding the “Freedom Rights Rally”, also known as “Freedom Rally”, for 15 years, and reserves the rights to this event name. Although the group associated with Rhonda Lee Welsch and www.bikeweekfreedomrally.com is holding an event at the same time and location as ABATE of Florida, Inc.’s 2010 Bike Week Campground, ABATE of Florida, Inc. is not endorsing or a part of that group’s event. We have asked this group to cease using the event name which we have rights to, and await their response.”

# # #

The above: It is from ABATE of Florida, the author is Lockdown.

This was sent to Mike Greenwald

Hi this is Banshee.. our paths have crossed out on the internet a time or two… I am friends with Rogue and was at The Freedom Rally in Daytona (Volusia Fairgrounds) to do an interview on him about a couple of issues as well as cover his speech…

As usual, everything was running late and a 12:45 schedule ran into a 4:00 time slot. They were some very good speakers and of course some that had their speeches memorized to the point of being unconvincing in their conviction of what they were saying….

But all that aside…. In between the speakers they had music and it was so loud you had to walk outside to speak to friends… I stepped out just in time to see a golf cart with Doc and 3 of his “Security” people pull up and head over to RC… I had my press pass in plain sight and of course a couple of cameras hanging around my neck… I just started listening and then decided this is a good time to take pictures of Doc in action….. They surrounded RC…. The “Security” guys asked the women that were standing with RC to step back in a less than polite manner… and then Doc started a tirade about something Rogue was supposed to have said about him in his Saturdays speech (all fully recorded for review)… RC just leaned back against a pole and let Doc carry on like a fool…. He put on quite a show for us and at one point, one of his “Security” guys noticed I had a camera pointed at them and was snapping away and decided to start walking my way…. I just lower it and used the LCD screen to continue taking pictures… look him in the eyes, shook my head, and he had the good sense to actually walk backwards away from me… (the gals laughing at him at this point might not have helped his ego)…

I was a little disappointed… what a great picture being assaulted by Doc’s “Security” guy would have made for me … not to mention I have a brand new stun baton I have not had the pleasure of testing out yet…..

I finally decided Rogue needed to join us since he was the one being talked about and watching him and Doc is always entertaining to say the least…. So I sprinted to the doors… got his attention and he saw by my expression I needed him in a hurry and if you have never seen Rogue run for a door… all I can say is shame on me for not taking a picture of that one too.. lol.. By unfortunately by time he got outside… Doc and his “Security” guys had loaded back up in the golf cart and instead of stopping to ask Rogue about what Doc claims he said… He just looked at him and drove past us and went back over to the ABATE campgrounds….

Now I don’t know about you, but me?. If I had a question and it was about something Rogue had said, I sure would have stopped the golf cart and gotten off to ask Rogue.

I admit right up front I am a smartass…. I have been riding my own Harley for 37 years (that I will admit to). I have seen laws come.. I have seen laws go… I have seen rights groups find their way and some I have seen turn into social clubs with no actual idea what Bill is on the floor, how it can impact them and what the people they are giving their money to are doing with it behind closed doors.

And nothing in this life pisses me off more than to see someone taking credit for other peoples hard work. A lot of Freedom Fighters do not have expense accounts or an annual salary. They do it because they love to ride and want to protect our rights and we all benefit from that.

And could someone please tell me why there is no accountability on how ABATE money is used? No public record to the members explaining what the expense account reimbursements are for? And why, when I attend an ABATE sponsored event and donate a few dollars to a benefit a child dying from cancer a part of that ends up in the Presidents coffers to use as he pleases… again with no accountability to his own membership?

We have enough corruption in government that most of us are trying to fight against. Wake up ABATE…. You have big problem of your own…. Put down those beers… attend a meeting and ask where your money is going….. Your are suppose to be a Rights Organization.. nothing should go on behind closed doors… You have the right to know! And if I were you, I would be embarrassed to have a Paid President that requires “Security” people to push women around at a Freedom Rally that he, by choice, declined to speak at.

Oh my, does that mean I am now on Doc’s shit list too? Oh well, he has been on mine for years so I guess that about evens us out with the exception I do not require “Security” everywhere I go. I have the FREEDOM to ride by myself and with a friend or two if I feel like it.

As Always…The Little Redneck….Banshee Jo

If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around

banshee@thelostsoul.com

http://www.thelostsoul.com

IRC-Undernet-#Harleybar

This is from RC

Feel free to pass the truth around to as many folk as you can.

Part of a press release from ABATE of Florida and my respose:

Any statements I made re: All statementsABATE of Florida President, James “Doc” Reichenbach have been backed up by "facts". If one is to search my site Big Bend Bikers for for Freedom they will find links verifying any actionable allegations and do not fit the definition of slander:

1. Law Oral communication of false statements injurious to a person's reputation.

It was my time to go on stage to speak. I left the building to retrieve my speech from my wife who had it and was outside letting the dogs go to the bathroom. I was rushing back into the building when somebody hollered at me. And do not know who it was or exactly
what it was they said. I do remember responding later I have to give my speech right now.

After giving my speech a friend came up to me and advised me that Doc Reichenbach and some people were outside. She was afraid some trouble may be starting. I advised
the women I was with to stay in the building and a friend and I went outside to see what the problem was.

The events continued to unfold as Doc stood outside the building and RC exited with a

I exited the building with one friend as the pictures clearly show. There was no

group of acquaintances.

Doc approached and asked about RC & Rogue’s allegedly making slanderous statements about ABATE of Florida, Inc.

When we exited the building "Mudder" who serves or did serve as ABATE of Florida's
Sgt. of Arms was standing outside with some other people who I did not recognize by name. But assumed were ABATE security. At that time the ABATE of Florida President was sitting in a Golf Cart out of hearing range.

My conversation with "mudder" consisted of small talk. He told me about two wrecks he has recently been in and stated attendance at the campground was down as we had some exchange re the economy. At some point in time during my conversation with "mudder" I gestured to one of the ladies watching from behind the glass to bring me a cup of coffee which she did.

Doc approached and asked about RC & Rogue’s allegedly making slanderous statements about ABATE of Florida, Inc., which RC denied. RC further stated that there was a recording made of his and Rouge’s presentations

At some point in time the president/lobbyist of ABATE of Florida did approach and started in on something that Rogue allegedly made in his speech. I had to ask him a number of times what he was talking about as I had no idea what he was referring to.

Apparently he had been told that Rogue had referenced my actions at the capital during
a legislative session.

I advised The president/lobbyist that he had received fals3e information. That Rogue made no mention of what he was referring to. I also Advised the ABATE President/lobbyist that we had filmed the speeches. At that time he did not ask for a copy that I remember.

As this conversation ensued, some of RC’s personnel stepped back and began taking photographs of Doc. Once these photographers were in place, RC began verbally provoking Doc, attempting to get Doc to strike him. Although Doc became agitated, he did not rise to the bait.

As you can see there was one person standing next me. I have no "personnel" the photographer in question had arrived with Rogue and that day was the first time I had met and immediately liked her. I was however not events referenced in this press release until they were over. Please note. If there was more than one photographer outside I am not at this time aware of it.

Doc began stating something about someday he and I were going to settle "our thing". I kept asking him "what thing" to which he kept referring to as our thing. In fact we could settle it right then and there.

At this time I stated something to the effect that he has seen me in the halls of the legislature without his body guards around and never speaks or looks at me.

He said something to the effect he would resign from ABATE right then and there to settle "our thing". This means nothing to me as Doc as Doc often resigns his position.

I advised the ABATE of Florida President and Lobbyist that were he to lay a hand on me I would sue the hell out of ABATE. It was somewhere around this time that his body guards/security/whatever pushed him towards the golf cart they had arrived in.

At some point in time Rogue did come outside. However as I was not taking my eyes off The ABATE of Florida president I am not aware of when he came out.

I hereby formally advise ABATE of Florida that they can kiss my ass. It has been our intention from the get go to post the recordings and pictures as we get them up. Not by demand of ABATE of Florida but as coverage of the Rally from the Biker perspective and because we RESPECT Biker Rogue and always like to hear what he has to say.

ABATE of Florida, Inc. is also hereby publicly putting RC & Rouge on notice that should their slanderous activities continue, they, and any entity which publishes the false statements, will become targets of legal action to make ABATE of Florida, Inc. whole.

I have heard these allegations many times. Along with an alleged allegation by the President of ABATE of Florida that if he could not take care of me in the courts he would have it done the old school way. Our suggestion would be that he focus instead on the damage he has done to a once noble organization, i.e. ABATE of Florida. However, discovery could be a fun thing.

I believe this statement says it all. Who, but a totalitarian organization could possibly believe they can lay claim to either term, "Freedom Rights Rally"
or "Freedom Rally"???

I can understand why ABATE of Florida Would not affiliate themselves with Rhonda Lee
Welsh and the Bike Week Freedom Rally. In first conversation with Ms. Welsh regarding what should I speak on at the rally, she responded with, "Speak from your heart" She also stated, "We will not be censoring people".

But then I guess that's the difference between someone Like Ms. Welsh because she does what she does from the heart and ABATE of FLorida President/Lobbyist who gets paid for what he does! ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

We do have to admit however that Doc has obtained one hell of a press agent. I'm awed at just how creative one can get while lying! Thats right I used the word "LYING" SUE ME!

rc
Let Freedom Reign
http://bigbendbikersforfreedom.com/

More from Banshee

Oh the lighter side….First of all where’s my paycheck from RC? lol.. Gee and I did not even know I worked for him….

On the serious side… I at this point because of Doc’s and his ‘Security” People’s attack not only on the 3 women, RC, myself, Rhonda and finally you, Do hereby give permission and release all copyrights on the photos taken by me, Banshee Jo, at the Freedom Rally, Volusia County Fairgrounds at approximately 3PM February 28^th 2010. They may be published, reproduced and considered public domain without any expectation of a royalty by me.

I have published them to all my networking sites and will continue to do so. The pictures clearly show Doc and his “Security” people as the aggressors and in my opinion clearly prove that the letter he sent out is full of one lie after another. I have never at any time worked for RC. I was not there to cover this incident. It occurred in front of me and I decided to take the pictures on my dime. I was not hired nor paid at anytime to take or publish my pictures of Doc’s attack on RC.

And yes, you may send in full what I wrote to you along with the photos I took to back up my words. As they say a photo is worth a thousand words.

If you need anything else from me… let me know… and feel free to give my email to anyone that wants a direct release from me.

Off the record.. what an absolute Douche Bag.. he starts a bunch of shit.. then wants to turn it around and make it look like he was set up to look like an asshole? He managed to pull that one off all by himself……….all I can say is baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Some of the other people who were present are still in Daytona so there will be more coming in.

Rogue: I will stand by all the statements I made during the rally and do invite Doc to make himself available to answer questions about the operation of ABATE of Florida.

I am one of the founding members of ABATE – A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments and also a life time member of ABATE of Florida.

Because of those two facts alone I should be able to question the organization about how it is operating and also get an explaniation of finances.

I and other members have a right to question how things are being done and support other opinions than that of Doc’s.

I have a right to suggest that there should be some one other than him as president and lobbyist after all ABATE is suppose to be a Rights Organization and Not a Dictatorship.

Other people who opposed Doc have made statements that they were forced out of the organization, I for one can not understand how this was allowed to happen. Are the members of ABATE saying to the motorcyclist of Florida that a dictatorship is in place and opposing views will not be tolerated?

Opposing views on an issue are not slander. I use in my opinion and some times I include and that of others. I also ask a lot of questions, some I have been for years and have yet to get an answer to.

Since I have been an ABATE member since it was started I would like to see it grow and be a benefit to all motorcyclist. Just because I do not agree with some of Doc’s ideas does not mean other wise.

This is still America last I knew.

Thank You and stay tuned for more on this subject

Rogue

Sturgis Freedom Fighters

Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005