Motorcyclist revolts against the ban on cowls in Berlin!

Motorcyclist revolts against the ban on cowls in Berlin!

Berlin, Deutschland - It was an exciting Saturday afternoon in Berlin when almost 1,000 motorcyclists took to the streets for a good cause. They showed the flag against the nationwide prohibition of cowls. The demonstration, which began on the Olympic Platz in Westend, attracted a variety of bikers. One of the columns, which had formed under the motto "No collective penalties for bikers", counted 750 participants. This column was registered with the police, and the officials were able to report at the end of the day that the event went without incident.

A second column with 175 bikers who are passionate supporters of the Bandidos MC, demonstrated under the provocative motto "Against the Insignia ban". This group moved to Oranienburg via the A100 and also enjoyed a quiet course. In 2020, the Federal Constitutional Court confirmed the ban on cowls for criminal rocker groups such as the Hells Angels and the Bandidos, which apparently did not want to leave the participants in their demonstration.

rocker groups and their rules

rocker groups are not just a hobby accumulation of motorcycle fans. They act structured and hierarchically, whereby the cohesion among the members is enormous. These groups, also known as Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCG), are characterized by strict rules and a close personal bond of the members. According to the BKA they are often little cooperative with the police and are firmly committed to cooperation with investigative authorities.

Crime that is associated with these groups goes far beyond mere violations. Mostly acting in hidden, rocker groups are not only known as the perpetrator of violent and drug crime, but are also active in the bouncer scene and for security services. The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, which was considered the most dominant group in 2023, is symbolical.

rocker crime and social concerns

Another important aspect of the rocker movement is its influence on society. Violence and criminal machinations, which are often based on principles such as territorial power games, often happens unnoticed. This underworld has its own rules and little is reported about what is actually happening. The actual number of criminal offenses is high due to the intimidation of victims and the low willingness to cooperate with the authorities. The research project "rocker crime", which is carried out on an ongoing basis, should bring light into the dark here and examines the connections between the police and rock scene as well as possible prevention approaches. The project manager Bettina Zietlow emphasizes that the goal is to make the work of the police and judiciary more effective.

The public fears of rockers are fueled by open power and territory fights, whereby the traditional hostilities between clubs such as Hells Angels and Bandidos certainly do not contribute to calming down. Rocker groups are also involved in legal business areas such as security industry, red light sector or tattooshops, which makes their dark side more worrying.