Hollister riot

The Hollister riot occurred during the Gypsy Tour motorcycle rally in Hollister, California from July 4 to July 6, 1947. The event was sensationalized by yellow news reports of bikers "taking over the town" and staged photos of public rowdiness.

The rally, which was sponsored by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), was attended by approximately 4000 people. This was several times more than had been expected, and the small town of Hollister was overwhelmed by bikers who were forced to sleep on sidewalks and in parks.

About 50 people were arrested during the event, most for public intoxication, reckless driving, and disturbing the peace. Members of the Boozefighters Motorcycle Club, in particular, were reported to be fighting and racing in the streets. There were 60 reported injuries, of which 3 were serious.

The 1953 film "The Wild One" (starring Marlon Brando) was inspired by the event and based on an article run in "Life" magazine which included a staged picture of a drunk man resting on a motorcycle amidst a mass of beer bottles.

Representatives of the AMA, seeking to deflect the negative press surrounding the rally, stated at a press conference that "the trouble was caused by the one per cent deviant that tarnishes the public image of both motorcycles and motorcyclists." This statement led to the term "one-percenter" to describe "outlaw" bikers.

References

*Dougherty, C.I. "Motorcyclists Take Over Town, Many Injured." "San Francisco Chronicle". July 5, 1947. [http://www.cestcop.com/chron1.htm]
*Dougherty, C.I. "2000 'Gypsycycles' Chug Out of Town and the Natives Sigh 'Never Again'." "San Francisco Chronicle". July 6, 1947. [http://www.cestcop.com/chron2.htm]

External links

* [http://www.tophatters-mc.com/hollister1947rally.htm Press accounts of the riot]