A “monumental mistake”, apologize to the organizers

Photo screenshot, VAT New
The keepers of the booth selling items of the Hells Angels at the Expo de Saint-Hyacinthe had to leave the premises yesterday. The leaders first held a meeting urgently to discuss the possibility of evicting the tenants of the kiosk Support 81.

Magalie Lapointe

Thursday, August 3 2017 06:30

UPDATE
Thursday, August 3 2017 06:30

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SAINT-HYACINTHE | Expo Saint-Hyacinthe expelled, yesterday, the booth where were sold various promotional items in the colors of the Hells Angels, while acknowledging that they had committed a serious error in accepting his presence.

“One is forced to admit that it is a huge mistake,” said the director general of the Expo de Saint-Hyacinthe, François Fog, yesterday.

Photo courtesy

François Fog

DG Expo

The Newspaper reported yesterday that a trailer in the colors of Support 81 Montreal was installed at the fair in order to sell promotional items, including t-shirts and caps. The number 81 represents the initials of the criminal group the Hells Angels. The ” 8 “is for the 8th letter of the alphabet,” h “, and the digit ” 1 “for the first, either the” a “.

The Hells Angels are well known in Quebec, in particular for their contribution to the war of the bikers who has made 165 people dead, including nine innocent victims, between 1994 and 2001.

The presence of the kiosk is all the more shocking that the profits of Medium 81 to be used to fund the defense of the Hells Angels in justice, it was learnt, yesterday, police sources said.

However, the Expo de Saint-Hyacinthe knew, before even accepting Support 81, as an exhibitor, that the group was linked to the Hells.

The leaders of the Expo have always defended the presence of the kiosk on the site. Up to an emergency meeting yesterday, in the wake of the publication of our report.

Arrested after

The management then had no choice than ask Support 81 to leave the site, yesterday, that the group has done in calmness and without glare.

This did not prevent them from being intercepted shortly after, in the eastern Townships. The truck Support 81 has been intercepted by the police of the Sûreté du Québec. He had not been subjected to the mechanical inspection required by the SAAQ. The driver has earned a total of $ 600 in fines and the truck was parked.

Mr. Fog ensures that the error analysis of the Expo will not happen twice. As of next year, the ceo promises that applications will be assessed by an expert committee. The breaking of the contract with Support 81 will not result in additional costs to the Expo.

The rumor on the site that a second booth would be linked to the Hells. The Expo survey on the topic. Mr. Fog has mentioned wanting to be cautious, but if the organization has to act, she will.

– With Félix Séguin

Elected officials resent their presence

SAINT-HYACINTHE | ” Unacceptable “, ” incomprehensible “, ” not common sense “. A number of politicians have a hard time believing that visitors of the Expo de Saint-Hyacinthe have contributed to the financing of the group of bikers criminalised the Hells Angels.

After reading the article in the Newspaper which mentioned that tenants were selling clothing bearing the image of the Hells Angels in an agricultural show, the minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), Laurent Lessard, was quick to respond on his twitter account.

Government involved

“I asked to terminate the agreement with the kiosk, which has a link with a criminal organisation recognised “, he wrote.

It must be said that his ministry is one of the most important financial partners of the event.

Same goes for the mp caquiste of Saint-Hyacinthe, Chantal Soucy, who quickly contacted the organization of the Expo to demand an explanation.

“This is unacceptable, we must all have the same goal and fight organized crime. Most importantly, do not give them the chance to make money, ” quipped the mp.

Ms. Soucy believes that this event should be used for other executive officers of fairs. It is our wish that the error of the managers of the Expo de Saint-Hyacinthe serve all and avoids the need for visitors to the various sites to help support the Hells Angels.

Bill

Last April, the Bloc québécois has just tabled a bill to take on the image of criminal groups such as Hells Angels.

The member Rhéal Fortin there was simply not that of ordinary citizens, not gangs, procure and worse yet, wear t-shirts Support 81.

“It speaks to the promotion of criminal activity. It didn’t make sense. The people expect that we wear our pants. I’m going to defend the bill tooth and nail, ” said Mr. Fortin

“As a father and as a grandfather, I can’t imagine that my grandchildren will enter the school in September and kids will be wearing t-shirts Support 81. It is quite terrible, ” concluded the member of parliament for Rivière-du-Nord.