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28 February 2004
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Police fear a
mass gathering of patched gang members in Christchurch today
could spark violent clashes between rivals.
The notorious Harris brothers became the Christchurch Road Knights 10 years ago this weekend. Their anniversary bash is expected to attract up to 100 patched gang members from half a dozen gangs around the country.
The visitors will represent some of the country's most high-profile gangs: Hells Angels, the Headhunters, the Filthy Few. The Timaru chapter of the Road Knights also celebrates 25 years this weekend.
Christchurch Road Knights leader Darryl Harris said it would be "a good weekend".
Christchurch Police gang liaison officer Jim Nisbet said police would send 20 staff to monitor the gang members' attendance at a motorcycle rally tomorrow in case the rival gangs clash.
The weekend's festivities will be based at the Road Knights' Halswell Road pad but Harris said the gang members would head out to Ruapuna Park International Raceway for the British, European, and American Racing Series (Bears) motorbike rally.
Police said the Road Knights' arch-rivals, the Epitaph Riders, would probably attend the rally too.
Police said the Epitaph Riders would be joined by the Lost Breed and Southern Vikings.
"We go every year to the Bears," Harris told The Press. "We just go because it's a motorcycle event that's held in the South Island."
Harris said there would be "Maoris as well as white gangs" at the party. The Filthy Few, an ethnic gang based in the Bay of Plenty, was on the birthday bash invitation list.
The Harrises have been accused of following a white-power ethos but have denied this. There are four chapters of the Road Knights in the South Island: Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin and Invercargill.
