Hells Angels Gather in Amherstburg for Annual Canada Run
Police Prepare for Hundreds of Bikers
On Friday, July 17, 2026, a large contingent of outlaw motorcycle club members converged at the Hells Angels clubhouse on Howard Avenue in Amherstburg, marking the start of the annual Canada Run, a mandatory gathering for the club’s members.
Police Warning and Joint Operation
Windsor Police Chief Jason Crowley announced that the Windsor-Essex region would host between 750 and 800 bikers from July 16 to 19, including Hells Angels members and affiliated clubs. The police service warned the public that while the groups are not expected to cause trouble, they are being closely monitored as part of a joint operation with the OPP‑led Biker Enforcement Unit.
Club Presence and Community Impact
Large flags reading “Hells Angels Windsor City” fluttered at the clubhouse entrance, and members in distinctive club colors were seen stationed along nearby roads, some with faces covered. The gathering is part of a long‑standing tradition where the party location rotates each year; last year it was held in Calgary.
Historical Context of the Amherstburg Clubhouse
The Howard Avenue clubhouse, acquired in May 2003 after the gang left its previous Windsor site, remains the local headquarters for the Hells Angels in Essex County. The property, comprising several buildings including a house, was the focus of a 2003 city council bylaw that prohibited fortified features such as armored doors, bulletproof windows, electric fences and sandbag barriers.
Police Perspective on the Gathering
Chief Crowley emphasized that the Hells Angels are among the three largest outlaw motorcycle gangs operating in the Windsor area, alongside Satan’s Choice and the Queensmen. While the club is classified by Canadian intelligence agencies as a criminal organization, police stress that the bikers are primarily focused on staying under the radar and are not seeking confrontations.
Public Assurance
Despite the sizable presence of gang members, Crowley reassured residents that there is no cause for alarm, noting that the clubs tend to keep to themselves when left alone and that authorities have high‑level intelligence and preparedness measures in place.
