Hollister riot
Encyclopedia
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 4,000 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, are alleged to have 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”. The AMA now says they have no record of such a statement to the press, and call this story apocryphal. Deeper historical research will reveal that the so-called 'Hollister riot', was not the incident which first prompted the A.M.A.to publicly declare that 99% of motorcyclists were law abiding citizens, and one percent was not. It is common knowledge amongst bikers around the world, that they did make this statement, but it was nothing to do with Hollister. However, it was that statement which led to the term “outlaw motorcyclists" and "one percenters".
Motorcycle rally
A motorcycle rally is a gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts. Rallies can be large or small, and one-time or recurring. Some rallies are ride-in events, whereas some like the Iron Butt Rally involve days of riding and an actual gathering only at the end of the ride.-North America:Notable annual...
in Hollister, California
Hollister, California
Hollister is a city in and the county seat of San Benito County, California, United States. The population was 34,928 at the 2010 census. Hollister is primarily an agricultural town.-History:...
, from July 4 to July 6, 1947. The event was sensationalized by yellow news reports
Yellow journalism
Yellow journalism or the yellow press is a type of journalism that presents little or no legitimate well-researched news and instead uses eye-catching headlines to sell more newspapers. Techniques may include exaggerations of news events, scandal-mongering, or sensationalism...
of bikers "taking over the town" and staged photos of public rowdiness.
The rally, which was sponsored by the American Motorcyclist Association
American Motorcyclist Association
The American Motorcyclist Association is an American not-for-profit organization of more than 300,000 motorcyclists that organizes numerous motorcycling activities and campaigns for motorcyclists' legal rights...
(AMA), was attended by approximately 4,000 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
Boozefighters
The Boozefighters Motorcycle Club is a motorcycle club, formed in California just after World War II. Today, the BFMC has chapters across America with its national headquarters located in Ft. Worth, Texas. The first European Chapter was founded in France in 2006...
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
The Wild One
The Wild One is a 1953 outlaw biker film directed by László Benedek and produced by Stanley Kramer. It is famed for Marlon Brando's iconic portrayal of the gang leader Johnny Strabler.-Basis:...
(starring Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando, Jr. was an American movie star and political activist. "Unchallenged as the most important actor in modern American Cinema" according to the St...
) was inspired by the event and based on an article run in Life magazine
Life (magazine)
Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
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, are alleged to have 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”. The AMA now says they have no record of such a statement to the press, and call this story apocryphal. Deeper historical research will reveal that the so-called 'Hollister riot', was not the incident which first prompted the A.M.A.to publicly declare that 99% of motorcyclists were law abiding citizens, and one percent was not. It is common knowledge amongst bikers around the world, that they did make this statement, but it was nothing to do with Hollister. However, it was that statement which led to the term “outlaw motorcyclists" and "one percenters".