Washoe County Commissioners Approve Reno Toy Run Donation After ‘Swastika’ Controversy

In a 4-1 vote, the Board of Washoe County Commissioners voted to approve a $10,000 donation to the Reno Toy Run, an event of the Northern Nevada Confederation of  Clubs (NNVCOC), for the 2024-2025 fiscal year after the Branded Few motorcycle club announced they would be changing their symbol worn on their vests.

Troy Regas, a representative of the NNVCOC, provided the board with the announcement during pubic comment, stating, “I would like to share something with you and the voters. Due to your efforts to score cheap political points and to not afford due process, the Branded Few have decided to be the adults in the room. The Branded Few have boldly decided as an organization to remove the patch you sought to defame them with. From now on it will be replaced by their “BF” patch. They took this action so that no one, including you, can ever attempt to defame their character again. I for one, am so proud of them.”

The majority’s vote follows a contentious board meeting in July after Commissioner Mike Clark’s $10,000 donation was asked to be reconsidered by Chairwoman Alexis Hill after a man wore a vest with the Branded Few motorcycle club insignia which featured a eagle and a bent cross. The bent cross is similar to Hitler’s swastika, but was and has been used throughout history by various religious, cultural and indigenous groups.

During the July meeting, Commissioner Hill said, “Hitler kidnapped the swastika. The swastika has become a symbol of hate, racism, anti-Semitism, sexism, bigotry, discrimination and othering of people who were different.”

Ronny James, a member of the Branded Few, argued the symbol is not a swastika but a bent cross, symbolizing four L’s, “luck, light, love and life” and that the eagle represents strength and freedom.

Commissioner Mariluz Garcia changed her prior vote in July to support the motion after she spoke “face to face” with Regas during today’s meeting. Commissioner Hill maintained, “I am pleased that the Branded Few decided to rebrand, but I will not be supporting.”

During public comment, Hill’s opponent in District One, Marsha Berkbigler, said Hill “should be ashamed.”

The Reno Toy Run is Reno’s longest-running and largest motorcycle community event. Entering its 44th year, the Reno Toy Run is an annual event dedicated to collecting cash donations and donated toys and bikes for needed children throughout the county.

The NNVCOC has over 50 member clubs as well as independent members and is comprised of conventional motorcycle clubs, family clubs, Christian clubs, and sport bike clubs whose riders are culturally and politically varied.