21st Annual Laughlin River Run to be "Colorless"?

The "no colors" policy announced for the 21st Annual Laughlin River Run is to be applied and enforced on an individual basis for each establishment. Those establishments are exercising their "right to refuse service to anyone" and are embracing this option by banning "colors" this year. A reference was made to the "no colors" policy at Daytona Bike Week and other motorcycle events that have similar policies of management. According to law enforcement, the No. 1 objective behind this policy is to "keep the peace". The overriding concern references the events of last year, similar flare-ups in Long Island, NY and the recent murder of a motorcycle club president as evidence for their concerns regarding a peaceful event.

Local law enforcement is not enforcing the policy. It would be a violation of individual constitutional rights for them to do so. What they are doing is supporting the policies of the local establishments when they attempt to enforce a stated policy and those efforts are confronted or frustrated.

An establishment that has a stated "no colors" policy will have the option to either ask the wearer to remove the colors or leave the premises, or simply ask them to leave. If the wearer refuses to abide by the policy they will be technically trespassing and this will allow the house security personnel to summons local law enforcement for support. At that point the wearer can be cited or arrested for the violation and then it transfers to the judicial system for disposition.

What needs to be understood by those planning on attending this year's festivities in Laughlin is that "privacy" or the "right to privacy" as most of us know it, does not apply in hotel-type establishments. An absolute "no colors" policy means you cannot even possess the items on that establishment's property, whether they are worn or not. How that policy might be enforced if colors are seen, lying in a room for example, is yet another matter.

The Flamingo, Pioneer, Golden Nugget, River Palms, Harrah's, and Ramada Express have stated absolutely "no colors" allowed.

The Edgewater, Colorado Belle, and Riverside do not have a "colors" policy in effect and colors are welcome. However, it should be noted that some hotel security may elect to enforce a "selective no colors" policy. A selective policy means they might not allow colors in a night club, or casino, or restaurant or some other designated area but permit colors generally elsewhere. That policy has the same level of enforcement as an absolute no colors policy if the wearer is advised by security personnel to remove the color or leave and they refuse to do so.

The "absolutely no colors policy" means no emblems, patches, logos, banners, or any type of reference to membership in any type of club including recognized clubs, Christian clubs, HOG, Veterans clubs, etc. what-so-ever. To some this may seem extreme but constitutionally it must be an all-or-none policy. If, for example, HOG members were allowed to wear their membership patches but other clubs were not, that would be discrimination and illegal. That establishment could open itself up to civil suits. So to protect itself from that possibility it is an "absolute" policy.

At this time there is no knowledge of any other establishments - restaurants, clubs, lounges, etc. that have announced any "colors" policy.

For more information about the Laughlin River Run go to www.laughlinriverrun.com.

Please feel free to send us legislative comments, inquiries, concerns, or issues that you feel might infringe upon the rights and freedom of motorcycle enthusiasts throughout Arizona and we will spread the word and act upon them on your behalf.

Stan
sjd3@cox.net