Legislative Report

by Steve Panten

Civil disobedience has been around for a long time and because of it we have seen history being written. The motorcyclists in the State of Wisconsin have practiced civil disobedience since the start of ABATE, but we have a reputation for doing it respectfully. Nationwide, organizations have watched us move our agenda, or make changes to improve the motorcycling environment in the state, through respectful civil disobedience. We learned how to make change through organizing motorcyclists without alienating us in the public’s eyes.

An example that comes to mind, while I am writing this, comes from when we started following right-of-way violations. A group of around 20 motorcyclists gathered in a municipal court room to listen to a case where a girl pulled out in front of a motorcyclist, killing him. This case was not the first one on the docket, and there were more cases to follow so we quietly sat through a couple before hers was read. The result was not what we were looking for since the judge did not use the enhanced penalties allowed under ACT 466, but what we learned was that we had more work to do. After the penalties were handed down, we did not scream and make a scene, but rather we all just stood up and started to walk out. This took the courtroom by surprise as 20 people, all dressed in leather and boots got up and started walking towards the door. The Sheriff Deputies in the room were taken by surprise and asked us to not leave the room until the girl and her family were escorted to their vehicle and drove away. Then we were allowed to leave. Again, we did not shout and make a scene but rather we got the attention of the court. We knew we had work to do, but because of how we handled ourselves in that courtroom, I was able to speak to the judge and the municipal attorney the next day about what needed to be done to get ACT 466 so it could be enforced properly. Both the municipal attorney and the judge became advocates for our position and were very helpful in getting to draft a bill that could accomplish what we wanted.

Another example was the “Storm the Capitol” event. We respectful circled the capitol on motorcycles while a small group went inside to discuss our issues. This one turned out in our favor as we were able to move our bill through the legislature and eventually get it passed. Without this display of respectful civil disobedience, we might not have gotten this done. The legislators in leadership stopped talking to us and we were stuck, so we needed to gather and get their attention.

I think of civil disobedience as getting the attention for our issues that we need. There are other negative ways to get attention, but along with that, you get attention that you don’t necessarily want, or need. I also realize that what we are doing may not be considered by some as civil disobedience because we don’t disrupt other people’s lives through harassment and by trying to stop traffic, although if we need to step up to that level to protect our rights, I would be standing in the front of the line with my brothers and sisters.

Another way to get the attention of government officials is to get involved during election time. A great way to make a statement is to show up at an event that an elected official is hosting to show your support. Some of these events have a cost to attend, but by simply walking with them on a parade route in a local community goes a long way in getting attention. Have your region organize a group of 20 or 100 motorcyclists and show up at the start of the parade unannounced. Just walk up to the elected official and ask if you can walk with them. Should the person get elected to the position that they were running for they will not forget the motorcyclists who “showed up” to help.

I remember hearing about a brat fry that an Assemblyman was hosting to raise money for his election. We got the word out and a group of 15 motorcycles rolled into the park to the surprise of the Assemblyman. He was very happy to see us there and we had a friend for life. You don’t have to stay there all day, just roll in, shake hands, kiss babies, eat a brat and have a soda and leave as quickly as you arrived. Or go for a walk on a parade route handing out a few pieces of literature and when you get to the end you can go on with your day.

We have a new member of Congress in Wisconsin’s Congressional District 7 and we already have a relationship with him. Congressman Tiffany is a former State Senator from the Minoqua area, and I look forward to introducing him to the MRF. Unfortunately, because the offices in Washington DC are closed to visitors, Bikers Inside the Beltway was cancelled for 2020 so we will have to make other arrangements to visit him in DC.

As a result of the social distancing thing the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has put a halt on new drivers testing. Rather than test drivers they are just giving them a driver’s license once they reach the age of 16, completed a driver’s education class and their parents sign off on a paper saying that they have completed their 30 hours of training outside of class. ABATE of Wisconsin feels this is extremely irresponsible considering some testing areas show a 30% first time failure rate for these so called “ready to test” drivers. The Department of Transportation has the authority to temporarily put a halt to testing, but in order for this to be permanent, the state legislature would have to change the existing statute. I spoke with a couple of driver’s education instructors and they do not believe this policy is being supported by the instructors. ABATE will be watching this and encouraging our State Legislators to keep drivers testing for all new drivers.

That’s it.

Steve