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"'Mongrel Mob' At Vigil"

Description: This image was taken (but not used) for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on the 30th of April 1970. "Between 40 and 50 people have kept a 'peace vigil' at the Palmerston North Cenotaph since mid-day yesterday - with the Hastings 'Mongrel Mob' in attendance for 'protection' and leaflet distribution.

The Peace vigil is to help publicise today's national anti-war mobilisation, part of which is being held in the form of a demonstration in the city tonight"

The organiser as reported as Mr. D. W. Swan.

"The leader of the 'Mongrels' who gave his name as 'Bear' said the gang was in the area when it heard of the vigil. 'We heard the bikies would be coming down, so we thought we would get here first' he said. They also intended to participate in the demonstration tonight. 'But we don't want to get a bad name here.' One of the vigil-keepers said the public conception of the 'Mongrels' was wrong and they were 'fantastic guys once you got to know them'".