Bikers Give Back

Posted April 10th, 2008 by kdunlap
in
The biker community is doing its part to help support Christopher Rodriguez, who is paralyzed from the waist down after being hit by a stray bullet on January 10, 2008, while taking a piano lesson at Harmony Road Music School. About 250 bikers gathered at Arroyo Viejo Park in East Oakland last month to organize an Easter Egg hunt for children.

They also presented a $2,600 check to Christopher and his family to help pay the mounting medical bills.Chris Rodriguez, his family and friends. Kneeling to Chris' left is Oakland councilwoman Desley Brooks (Eastmont-Seminary)Chris Rodriguez, his family and friends. Kneeling to Chris' left is Oakland councilwoman Desley Brooks (Eastmont-Seminary)

“The biking community, just like any other, heard about Chris and wanted to do what we could to make a difference,’’ said Na’il Karim, founder of The Black Biker Magazine. “We wanted to do something as a group to show our support.’’

Oakland bikers involved in community violence prevention projects.Oakland bikers involved in community violence prevention projects.

Karim said that often bikers are stereotyped for being associated with gangs or less-than-law-abiding citizens. On the contrary, he said: Community service is a part of the core mission of many biker groups who often organize charity rides.

Chris Rodriguez and friendsChris Rodriguez and friends

Karim and many of his biker buddies say they try to fight crime by organizing rides to juvenile hall to meet with young people and give them pep talks.

“Sometimes bikers get a bad rap,’’ he said.

Karim said that he hopes his magazine will also help to shed light on the culture and lifestyle of the biker community.

Kamika Dunlap -- Oakland Tribune

Bikers do Care and Give back

On April 11th, 2008 Anonymous said:
I have been apart of the Biker Community since September 2, 1999 and this is just one of the many fundraisers/events that we all have put on to help make a difference in someones life. If you really take the time to examine the life of a biker you will learn that many of them are employed as probation officers, nurses, police officers, social workers, teachers, office administrators, lawyers etc. One should judge a book by its color you will be surprised what you learn. Motto for 2008: Each one Teach one to Reach one Stop the violence in the Bay Area. The LORD is our Shepherd thou shall not want. Kimberlea~b4~Queeness Strawberry Nat'l President & Founder Harleys Angels SMC of Oakland,CA