National Council of Informed Riders (National COIR)
KEEPING YOU INFORMED
National COIR has joined 5 other organizations in demanding a retraction and to cease and desist violating the rights of all Motorcyclists!
Sheriff Stacy L Ball of Pulaski County, Missouri has arbitrarily shut down a planned motorcycle rally at a local Shriners facility simply because it was open to all Motorcyclists!
The first letter below is our jointly signed objection to Sheriff Ball’s blatant discriminatory action.
The second letter is Sheriff Ball’s letter that prompted our response.
Letter RE: Pulaski County Sheriff Department
The National Council of Clubs, the National Coalition of Motorcyclists, the National Council of Informed Riders, the Motorcycle Profiling Project, the Confederation of Clubs Missouri and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, collectively representing the legitimate interests of hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists and motorcycle clubs nationwide, is highly concerned to the point of legitimate outrage relating to a recent defamatory public statement (attached) released by Pulaski County Sheriff Stacy L. Ball relating to the unconstitutional and illegal cancellation of the Mid-Missouri Route 66 Round Up Rally.
Although Sheriff Ball makes a veiled attempt to separate law enforcement from the decision to cancel the event and pass the blame to the local Shriners hosting the event, the facts and plain language of Sheriff Ball’s statement clearly establishes legitimate legal claims of tortious interference, state agent discrimination against a 1st Amendment protected community, and defamation against organizations deemed legitimate and protected by the federal government. Indeed, the MPP has been memorialized in federal legislation specifically addressing the issue of motorcycle profiling.
Sheriff Ball claims the department has “received credible intelligence from multiple law enforcement partners, including state and federal agencies, indicating that this rally was being promoted to members of the Confederation of Clubs (COC) and various 1% Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs). These are not harmless hobbyists. These are organizations with well-documented ties to organized crime, territorial violence, drug trafficking, and in some cases, ongoing investigations in our state.”
The Confederation of Clubs and COC’s exist nationwide for the specific purpose of protecting motorcycle clubs and their members against government overreach and discrimination. Spanning decades, no COC has ever been indicted for criminal activity in the entirety of their existence. In fact, in 2018 the highly qualified expert witness Agent Shuster (F.B.I) made very clear, under oath, that COC’s are legitimate political organizations focused on motorcycle rights.
Sheriff Ball’s claims are untrue, discriminatory, and based on absolutely no tangible evidence. The Sheriff’s actions also violate club members’ and COC members’ fundamental liberty interest in their freedom to associate.
Furthermore, Sheriff Ball suggests that coordination with law enforcement is a prerequisite to allowing an event protected by the 1st Amendment. This demonstrates the Sheriff’s ignorance and hubris in terms of constitutional law.
This communication is an attempt to exhaust remedy and allow the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department an opportunity to retract these false and discriminatory statements and cease and desist interference in any 1st Amendment protected event or assembly involving COC’s and even 1% motorcycle clubs. Failure to meet these terms will likely result in extensive legal action against Sheriff Ball and the department to protect the interests of COC’s and motorcycle clubs in Pulaski County.
In Sheriff Ball’s own words, “Put the blame on me as the Sheriff for the Cancellation.”
We will certainly take you at your word.
With Deep Concern,
Patrick McGrath, President, The National Council of Clubs
Thomas Moran, Chairman, Missouri Confederation of Clubs
David Devereaux, Director, Motorcycle Profiling Project
Joseph Lester, Executive Director, The National Coalition of Motorcyclists
Kurt Willard, President, The Motorcycle Riders Foundation
Jim Barr, Director, National Council of Informed Riders
PUBLIC STATEMENT FROM SHERIFF STACY L. BALL
RE: Cancellation of Mid-Missouri Route 66 Round Up Rally
First and foremost, I want to thank the many veterans, motorcycle riders, and community members who have reached out regarding the recent cancellation of the Mid-Missouri Route 66 Round Up Rally. As a fellow veteran and long-time supporter of veteran-based motorcycle clubs, I want to make something very clear: this decision is not about bikers, nor is it a condemnation of motorcycle clubs that give back to their communities that is being portrayed on other posts. I’ve personally ridden in benefit events hosted by the Wingmen MC and have been welcomed at open houses by local veteran clubs in years past. As the Sheriff or after this I probably won’t get any invites to any MC open houses but that’s ok.
I respect the spirit of brotherhood, service, and patriotism that many of these veteran clubs represent. However, the rally in question raised serious public safety concerns that could not be ignored. Let me be absolutely honest, I fully support the decision that this organizations National level took to cancel this event. Not because I oppose motorcycle rallies, but because I have a duty to protect every single person living in or entering Pulaski County, including those in attendance. This rally turned into something completely different than what was originally proposed and that is the unfortunate part of this.
This event, as proposed, involved no communication with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office. At no point were we contacted to discuss logistics, safety, or emergency planning. That’s not just a misstep, that’s a liability. Events of this scale require coordination with law enforcement to ensure the safety of all involved, especially when large gatherings are expected to include groups with a history of violence. I’ve received credible intelligence from multiple law enforcement partners, including state and federal agencies, indicating that this rally was being promoted to members of the Confederation of Clubs (COC) and various 1% Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs). These are not harmless hobbyists. These are organizations with well-documented ties to organized crime, territorial violence, drug trafficking, and in some cases, ongoing investigations in our state. Just last year, right here in Pulaski County, a violent incident occurred involving the Wingmen MC and Sin City Disciples MC. In a high traffic area by civilians. Four individuals were hospitalized. Not long after, the Wingmen clubhouse was burned down. That wasn’t just coincidence. I am reopening this investigation to identify and hold accountable those responsible for burning the Wingman Club House and the Shooting prior to.
This isn’t about image, it’s about operational readiness. My office and our neighboring law enforcement agencies simply do not have the resources to manage a large influx of OMGs who may be hostile to one another, in a public, high-traffic area surrounded by civilians. The risk far outweighed the reward in this situation.
By contrast, other local rallies like the Mid-America Freedom Rally (MAFR) and other events at the Shrine Club are successful because they are planned in full cooperation with law enforcement. There’s trust, transparency, and shared responsibility. That was completely absent in this case.
Moving forward, if organizers wish to revisit this event for the future, my door is open. But it starts with a conversation. We need open communication, detailed planning, and a mutual commitment to safety, not secrecy. I understand that emotions are running high, and that some individuals are upset. My job is to protect Pulaski County, and I will not compromise public safety, no matter how unpopular that makes me in certain circles. Put the blame on me as the Sheriff for the Cancellation. My concern is the Safety for all
and I will not make exceptions for any person or group.
Thank you to those who continue to support our mission to serve and protect this county with integrity, professionalism, and transparency. Let’s move forward with a shared goal: safety for all.
Respectfully,
Sheriff Stacy L. Ball
Pulaski County Sheriff
If you would like more information on how to join your local Motorcycle Rights Organization (MRO) and/or the national Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), please visit our website where you will conveniently find each one listed with their website link at https://nationalcoir.org
