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March 31, 2007 02:52PM EDT [general.addtranslation] Download Article (PDF) [ insert language bar ]

NYC Critical Mass: Victorious Despite Heavy NYPD Bullying

NYC CM proceeds despite heavy police attack. No "parading regulation" charges?

By roger m

The 3-30-07 NYC Critical Mass miraculously managed to proceed in varying degrees despite heavy police attack and bullying. To my knowledge, there were 3 arrests and many bogus tickets. No one I spoke with was charged with violation of the new "parading regulation." The heavy handed NYPD actions amounted to blatant intimidation, harassment and continuing violation of NYer's rights in the campaign to shut down the free spirited Critical Mass.

Keywords: Analysis, Manhattan, Culture, Alternatives, Critical Mass, Global Warming, Activism, Civil Rights,

The 3-30-07 NYC Critical Mass miraculously managed to proceed in varying degrees despite heavy police attack and bullying. To my knowledge, there were 3 arrests and many bogus tickets. No one I spoke with was charged with violation of the new "parading regulation." The heavy handed NYPD actions amounted to blatant intimidation, harassment and continuing violation of NYer's rights in the campaign to shut down the free spirited Critical Mass.

The weather was perfect. Spirits were very high. Despite the heavy threat of arrest, the turnout at Union Square was decent (200 plus ?) - plenty of pedicabs included. There were a lot of press people and video cameras at the brief informative press conference held at an un-amplified podium. Speakers included Councilmember Rosie Mendez, Civil Rights Attorney Norman Siegel and representatives from Time’s Up!, Assemble for Rights and 5BBC. Rosie Mendez joined the ride in a pedicab.

The ride started by going north on Park Avenue and was immediately stopped at the first intersection. Some riders got through, but were stopped by additional police in the next few blocks. The cops made a mess of the area detaining and ticketing numerous riders and blocking intersections. One cop added to the confusion by violently barking orders over an extremely loud bullhorn.

Things appeared hopeless for that evening's ride, but amazingly a number of riders remained undaunted and managed to break out of the area. They were able to re-group and proceed to Times Square for a glorious bike lift before the posse of cops from Union Square were able to catch up with them. Riders managed another regrouping at Columbus circle, including Councilmember Rosie Mendez in her pedicab. Great live music was provided by an accordion player and her friend who were riding a tandem bike.

This group made an extremely jubilant pass through Times Square with tourists cheering, waving and smiling, only to be harshly attacked by the NYPD at 43rd street. (Surely more on this to follow). Riders once again managed to regroup and make a glorious homecoming at the Times Up space where people socialized and enjoyed snacks provided by the Times Up "Diving Team."

There was substantial coverage of the evening's ride on local television stations.

By roger m http://

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Detailed report on V. Voice site

Mar 31, 2007 03:11PM EDT

roger m http://www.villagevoice.com/blogs/runninscared/archives/2007/03/friday_nights_c.php

Sarah Ferguson story with pictures:
http://www.villagevoice.com/blogs/runninscared/archives/2007/03/friday_nights_c.php

NYPD abuse

Apr 01, 2007 02:08PM EDT

David Caruso http://www.newsfrombabylon.com

"The Big Apple is plagued with killer cops and abusive prison guards Amnesty International says in a report today. Police officers have beaten and shot unresisting suspects; they have misused batons, chemical sprays and electro-shock weapons, the report says. Police said they couldn't comment on the report, which outlines numerous cases in New York where it says unarmed civilians have been assaulted and even killed by cops. The overwhelming majority of victims ... are members of racial or ethnic minorities, the report says."

- N.Y. Post 10/6/98.

Call for Ticket Information

Apr 03, 2007 11:11AM EDT

benbo

Dear members of the cycling community:

There is a coordinated effort between Time's Up!, FreeWheels, Glass Bead Collective Legal Response Team and some fine lawyers to QUICKLY centralize the information about the 48 summons that were issued Friday night during critical mass. If you received a summons please email the relevant information (described below) to bike@transalt.org. Information will be marshaled in order to coordinate media and legal responses to the conduct of the NYPD last Friday.

If we can collect and centralize the information about the summons that were issued, it is possible that a significant number of the summons may be legally inapplicable or facially insufficient as a matter of law. We may be able to show that the NYPD issued frivolous summons in an attempt to break up the ride and that they did it with more
aggressiveness than the issued summons would warrant. If you have any questions email the address below as well.

If possible, please also email a .pdf version of the front and back of each ticket you were issued. If you cannot, please photocopy the front and back of your ticket and fax it 212-629-8334 . Please indicate that the transmission is PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL.
[Please keep in mind that we are looking for ONLY the following information at this time. If you have information about, or evidence regarding, a ticketing incident, or an arrest, please provide your contact information to bike@transalt.org , but please do not send written information, or leave recorded information over the phone.]

What's your name, address, phone number, and email address?
How many tickets were you issued, total?
Was your bike seized?
How long were you detained by the NYPD ?
Were you moved from the location of the arrest? If yes, to where?
With respect to each ticket, please tell us:

· What type of summons were you issued?
– is it returnable in the New York City Criminal Court, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicle's Traffic Violations Bureau, or the Environmental Control Board? What is the address? Is it something you can mail in or do you have a date to appear?

· What's the ticket number?

· What's the date on the ticket?

· What's the time on the ticket?

· What's the location on the ticket?

· Who issued you the ticket? Please give us the officer's name, command, squad, and Tax ID number.

· Which set of laws or rules does the ticket allege you violated - the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law ("VTL")? The NewYork City Department of Transportation Rules ("NYCDOT Rules")? The New York City Administrative Code ("NYCAC")? The New York State Penal Law
("PL")?

· Which specific section(s) of the law or rule are you alleged
to have violated?

· What exactly does the ticket narrative say?

**You can also add the information from your summons on this great site, www.CMTickets.com, where summons are being tracked each month so cyclists can see the big picture.

Keep Riding.