New Zealand's High Court has overturned a ban on biker gangs publicly wearing club insignia after lawyers for the Hell's Angels successfully argued it limited freedom of expression.
The Wanganui Council introduced the ban on biker "patches" in 2009 after a spate of gang-related violence, arguing it would curb public intimidation in the North Island town.
It applied to 10 gangs, including the Hell's Angels, Black Power, Mongrel Mob, Nomads and Tribesmen, the latter of which is affiliated with the Rebels, as Australian gang police say is expanding into New Zealand.
'BYLAW UNLAWFUL'
After a legal challenge launched by a Hell's Angel member, the High Court ruled to ban was too broad because it applied to all public areas and the council had not properly considered freedom of expression issues.
"The court found the bylaw is therefore unlawful," it said in a judgement.
Lawyers fighting the ban have described it as "a sledgehammer used to crack a walnut".
Wanganui Council said it would consider appealing the court's decision or revising the ban, which imposed fines of R10 300 on gang members caught wearing patches, to specify the areas in which it applies.
Police last month raided dozens of properties across the North Island, seized drugs, firearms, luxury cars, Harley-Davidson motorcycles and cash in an operation they said was aimed at curbing the Rebels' expansion in New Zealand.
The Wanganui Council introduced the ban on biker "patches" in 2009 after a spate of gang-related violence, arguing it would curb public intimidation in the North Island town.
It applied to 10 gangs, including the Hell's Angels, Black Power, Mongrel Mob, Nomads and Tribesmen, the latter of which is affiliated with the Rebels, as Australian gang police say is expanding into New Zealand.
'BYLAW UNLAWFUL'
After a legal challenge launched by a Hell's Angel member, the High Court ruled to ban was too broad because it applied to all public areas and the council had not properly considered freedom of expression issues.
"The court found the bylaw is therefore unlawful," it said in a judgement.
Lawyers fighting the ban have described it as "a sledgehammer used to crack a walnut".
Wanganui Council said it would consider appealing the court's decision or revising the ban, which imposed fines of R10 300 on gang members caught wearing patches, to specify the areas in which it applies.
Police last month raided dozens of properties across the North Island, seized drugs, firearms, luxury cars, Harley-Davidson motorcycles and cash in an operation they said was aimed at curbing the Rebels' expansion in New Zealand.