Good luck with the fight. I can't really say anything that hasn't already been said, but the first thing that came to my mind was the word DISCRIMINATION.
You may want to start addressing it as such, since this include people using stereotypes in the way that they are treating the riders. I think that it's against policy to do this, but it's been a while since I went through an Active Duty harassment/discrimination training session.
Remeber...you always have the "Right" to communicate with your congressmen and elected officials as long as you keep your chain of command informed, and there may be a restriction that you can only do so as a private citizen, and not a representative of the military. There are also ways to communicate using the Inspector General hotline. You and all of the others can contact them individually, but if you try to communicate as a group to change the Commander's policy, then it could be construed as a Mutiny which is punishible by the UCMJ and SCM.
Just use your head and make sure you know what the correct procedure is to notify the higher-ups. Stay within the rules and it will work out fine.
Contrary to what most people think...You did NOT give up your RIGHTS when you were sworn in. You only agreed to obide by a new set of rules and regulations (UCMJ). Your constitutional rights cannot be taken away except by an order of the courts or congress.
Hope this works out for you.
