Motorcycle club kicked out of charity event

Members of a veterans’ motorcycle club were asked to leave after police showed up a Lethbridge charity event this past weekend. Members of the Commandos Motorcycle Club showed up at the 4th Annual Outdoor Music Fest and Barbecue at Honkers Pub and Eatery Saturday, July 13. According to Honkers owner Vicky Vanden Hoek, the club members were there to support the Veterans Association Food Bank, who was the beneficiary of the event.

According to Vanden Hoek, members of the Commandos left peacefully when asked to do so by Police.

A member of the Commandos, who didn’t want to be identified, said the motorcycle club is made up of retired soldiers who support veterans and their families.

In a statement, Lethbridge Police Service says it, along with its policing partners, visited approximately 100 licensed establishments to conduct checks under the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act. Police say the Act enables the exclusion and removal of gang members from licensed establishments. About 50 individuals met the definition of gang members under the act, including 20 at Honkers Pub and Eatery.

Vanden Hoek says the charity event was a big success raising over $3,000 for the Veterans Association Food Bank.