On Tuesday, a pair of bikers wearing Hells Angels patches on their vests learned that riding in colours could result in a fine thanks to a new Quebec law. A Longueuil police (SPAL) officer spotted the pair riding in full patch and pulled them over on Tuesday. In April, Quebec passed Bill 13 - An Act to promote the population’s safety and sense of security and to amend various provisions - which prohibits wearing “a symbol, such as an emblem, insignia or a representation,” used by an entity with a criminal purpose. “In the incident in question, the individuals involved were asked to cover the prohibited symbols in order to comply with the law,” said SPAL spokesperson Mélanie Mercille. It was the first time in Quebec that the law was used. The bikers in question covered their vests with jackets and rode off. Mercille said the officers will now prepare documentation to send to crown prosecutors for potential charges or fines at a later date. Outgoing public security minister Ian Lafrenière spoke about the bill with CJAD 800 Radio host Elias Makos earlier this year about the difference between freedom of expression and wearing colours of a criminal group to intimidate. “We’re talking about organized crime,” he said. “I don’t buy the fact that people say, ‘I think that Hell’s Angels are important in our society, and they should express themselves.’ The reason they’re wearing those patches, is to do intimidations and extortions.” Lafrenière said the government keeps a list of criminal organizations, which is updated every year. Those wearing patches can receive fines of up to $5,000.
