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Hupy and Abraham, S.C. and Northeast Region A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois work together to fight biker discrimination.
The much anticipated Ironhorse Roundup was scheduled for the first weekend of May, and as many as 30,000 people were expected. That is until the Mayor of Grayslake pulled the permit for the event, based on police intelligence reports. The controversy rages on; was this a safety issue or biker discrimination? Attorney Pete Naylor, of Hupy and Abraham, S.C. represents the organizer of the event, Mark Khayat, and they are discussing legal options at this time. Meanwhile, Naylor attended and spoke at a special meeting on May 6th in Grayslake, attended by many area bikers including Hupy and Abraham,S.C. client Dave White and Wisconsin BOLT member, Mike Greenwald. Below is a Google News Alert link to the article on the special meeting. As this story develops, we will keep you posted by email.
Tony "Pan" Sanfelipo
Investigator
Hupy and Abraham, S.C.
Google News Alert for: hupy and abraham
Grayslake board faces motorcycle show fallout
Chicago Daily Herald - Chicago,IL,USA
Naylor said his Hupy and Abraham firm represents motorcyclists and successfully defended a club that was booted from Milwaukee's Summerfest five years ago ...
See all stories on this topic
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Grayslake board faces motorcycle show fallout- Criticism includes lawsuit threat
By Bob Susnjara | Daily Herald Staff
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=186423
Published: 5/7/2008 12:06 AM | Updated: 5/7/2008 9:59 AM
Complaints about discrimination against a class of individuals and a lawsuit threat were part of the fallout at Grayslake village hall Tuesday night as a result of Mayor Timothy Perry's decision to cancel a motorcycle show.
About 30 motorcyclists and supporters attended the village board meeting, with some speaking to the elected officials. About a dozen choppers were parked across from village hall.
Some of the speakers were skeptical of the given reason for the cancellation of the Ironhorse Roundup Bike Show, which was scheduled for Sunday at the Lake County Fairgrounds.
Officials said information provided to Grayslake via the Illinois State Police's Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center indicated members of the Outlaws motorcycle club, identified as an international criminal organization, planned to attend the show.
Dan Harper, legislative coordinator from the ABATE of Illinois organization, filed a Freedom of Information request with Perry demanding documents with details about the cited threat. ABATE of Illinois, standing for A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education, represents motorcyclists' interests.
"You discriminated against a whole class of people," Harper told the Grayslake village board, echoing similar comments. "Yes, it was discrimination."
Dave White of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., said he belongs to a motorcycle club that volunteers for food drives. He said it'll take a while to overcome the damage Grayslake has done to legitimate local biker clubs.
"It's really caused a lot of consternation among those clubs that do charity work, year after year after year," White said.
Up to 40,000 visitors were projected for the Ironhorse show. Seven bands, motorcycle blessings, food and drinks were to be part of the event sponsored by Austin's Saloon & Eatery in Libertyville.
Austin's owner Mark Khayat estimated the village's sudden cancellation cost his business more than $100,000.
Lawyer Pete Naylor said he talked to Khayat for about an hour Tuesday and that he likely will seek a class-action lawsuit against Grayslake on behalf of various businesses that were harmed by the cancellation.
Naylor said his Hupy and Abraham firm represents motorcyclists and successfully defended a club that was booted from Milwaukee's Summerfest five years ago for insignias the members were wearing.
At the conclusion of the public comment time, Perry reiterated how his decision to scrub the bike event was based on credible information from multiple sources that violent activity was planned for Sunday. He said he made the final call and that it was based on a recommendation from Police Chief Larry Herzog.
Perry said he understood the frustration of those who spoke at Tuesday's meeting.
"All of the comments made here tonight were right on point," Perry said. "I sympathize and empathize with you."
More Coverage/Stories
* Grayslake board faces motorcycle show fallout [5/7/08]
* Grayslake mayor: Canceling motorcycle show was 'difficult' [5/7/08]
* Editorial: Give the details on bike show decision [5/7/08]
* Letter to the edtior Real reasons bike event was canceled [5/6/08]
* Letter to the editor: Prejudice behind cycle cancellation [5/6/08]
* Grayslake police chief stands by motorcycle show cancellation [5/5/08]
* No show, but 1,000 come out [5/5/08]
* Gang fears cancel Lake County motorcycle show [5/5/08]
* Grayslake explains little in canceling motorcycle show [5/3/08]
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