FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MMA Reports that a "Storm" descended on Boston…
On a sunny Thursday in May, over 150 Motorcyclists led by the Board and Officers of the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (MMA) descended on the Massachusetts State House in Boston as part of the MMA's 12th Annual "Storm the State House". Led by a Somerville Police escort, the Motorcyclists left the Somerville Lions and took their traditional route into downtown Boston, around the Boston Common, and entered the State House as residents, constituents, and guests. The purpose of the event was to raise awareness of the challenges we face as motorcyclists and let the State Legislators know about these concerns.
At the Somerville Lions Club hall, riders were treated to a continental breakfast hosted by the Toys for Local Children. The common assembly point was met with riders from all over New England, some who rode directly, others who met at staging points around the Commonwealth, including representatives from the "Disabled and Limbless Veterans Association" and organizers of the Boston Wounded Veterans Run. The Lions Club hall was the perfect venue for a quick briefing on the ride and the issues. Discussion was led by MMA Chairman Dave Condon and MMA Legislative Director Rick Gleason with questions from the riders in attendance.
The ride to the State House was uneventful thanks to an escort from the Somerville Police Department. Flags leading the motorcade caught the attention of workers out for lunch and tourists alike. Representative Geoff Diehl met riders at the State House entrance with bottles of water due to the heat and also spoke with riders who assembled in a hearing room prior to their independent rendezvous throughout the State House. Representative Diehl thanked the riders for taking the time from their personal lives to demonstrate respect for the Legislative process by visiting the State House, discussed his positions on the MMA's Legislative Agenda, and in response to a question from the riders in attendance talked about his background and personal journey to the State House as a Representative. Representative Diehl is also a primary sponsor of the MMA's Right-of-Way Bill and co-sponsor of most of the MMA's Legislative Agenda.
Some of the Riders Staging for the MMA 2012 Storm The State House
Reprinted with Permission from BostonNewsGroup.com
Somerville Police readying to escort the 2013 "Storm"
Reprinted with Permission from BostonNewsGroup.com
MMA Vice Chairman and MRF State Representative Doc D'Errico also spoke about some of the issues facing us at the National Level and the importance of continued support of the MMA and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and their missions at the State and National Levels. The challenges we face today may seem small but continue to amplify when the challenges are left unmet.
After a discussion about how to address their Legislators and/or their office staff, riders were given copies of the MMA's Legislative Agenda and assistance finding their offices. Many riders met afterwards for a lunch and were energized at how receptive their Legislators were to their visit.
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