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May ride 2008.
"Overall very good! A healthy turn-out, lighter nights and better weather." Reports | 1 | 2 | Photos | 1 |
Toronto CM.
On Friday night more than 200 Toronto cyclists overtook the Gardiner Expressway. Entering on the westbound ramp at Jarvis and cycling toward the Dunn Street exit, a group belonging to Critical Mass set out to block traffic on Toronto's much maligned waterfront barrier before cops descended, broke up the ride and arrested some participants. More | 1 | 2 |
House of Lords appeal due in October.
In September 2005 the police issued this leaflet warning to London CM participants. A cyclist Des Kay, with the help of Friends of the Earth, took the Met Police to court and won! The police managed to overturn that decision. See Court findings. So then a further appeal was taken to the House of Lords.
Arrests at Riga CM.
Seven cyclists were arrested at Riga CM. Pics and comments | 1 | 2 | Video |
No police on NYC CM ride!
In recent years NYC CM rides have been plagued by a heavy police presence, with tickets being issued, bikes impounded and even police assaulting and arresting riders. So why were there no police on the April ride? Reports and video | 1 | 2 |
April ride 2008.
14th Anniversary ride. A fun ride well attended with good weather. Police still silencing bicycle sound systems in the SOCPA zone despite the relevant law under repeal. Reports | 1 | 2 | Photos | 1 | 2 | 3 | Video |
Minneapolis court case.
Following the attack by police on the Minneapolis CM ride in August 2007 Augustin Ganley was charged with assaulting a police officer. "Of the 19 people (3 of them minors, another an unassociated bystander) who were haphazardly arrested (tased, pepper sprayed, maced, etc) and sent to jail to be booked, the city couldn't find the evidence to back up their cases and prosecute 14 of them and their charges are not being pursued. 5 are currently facing charges including everything from interfering with arrest to assault on a police officer." More: 1 | 2 | 3 | Augustin Ganley now acquitted | 4 |
March ride 2008.
"I left at Old St as well...a few people headed up Shoreditch than came to a halt at the Foundry - did we split in two at Old St?
Coppers getting very frustrating - they hold the mass up at lights for as long as possible to try and cram everyone together into a tiny tiny space. This means everyone rides very close together and subsequently we end up going slower. I was right at the back for a bit as well, and got hassle from a copper asking me to push up into the rest of the crowd, even though I was going at the same speed as everyone else, and there was no room directly in front of me. It got to the point where he was saying "Look, go round her on the outside, weave past him, then cut in there". What the hell are they playing it? Please if you're at the front, try and get past the police blockades and spread out a bit, then we go faster and can have a better ride!!!" Video.
Constitutional renewal pdf. Report. More.
SOCPA repeal.
Following its consultation, the Government is looking to repeal SOCPA sections 132-138. Section 137 restricts the playing of loudspeakers within the zone, a bone of contention for some CMers as it means that the police are insisting that cycle sound systems must be turned off in the vicinity of Parliament. Curiously, this police ban seems not to be applied to car sound systems. However...
"The Government therefore invites the views of Parliament on whether additional provision is needed for the purpose of keeping passages leading to the House free and open while the House is sitting, or to ensure that, for example, excessive noise is not used to disrupt the workings of Parliament."
February ride 2008.
"Anyway, when we arrived at the South Bank, we thought we saw the CM, but when we got there it was mostly - the police. I can't believe how many there were. It was a bit bizarre having mostly cycled in 'friendly charity rides' where motorists don't give us any aggro. It felt a bit like 'going to parts of Northern Ireland'. Should I turn back and scarper? 'Course not, don't be silly!" More.
Critical Mass 'Have a Go Hero' cleared of all charges in Bristol.
In May of last year, someone stood in the road and tried to stop a car, who had hit a Critical Mass cyclist off their bike, from driving away. For that he was arrested for obstructing the highway, thrown to the floor by his neck whilst handcuffed, and then - surprise surprise - also arrested for assaulting a police officer. Today, after 9 months of nervous waiting, he was finally cleared of all charges, as Bristol Magistrates Court accepted a submission that the police evidence was at best 'severely flawed' and at worst, fabricated, and the trial was stopped. More including pics.
January 2008 ride.
A subdued start to a good ride, held up by a massive traffic jam in the Strand, but it livened up later with a bike high in Piccadilly Circus and taunts to impatient car horns. Joyful chants of 'More bikes less cars' and 'Whose streets? Our streets'.
Several sound systems this time, some were threatened with SOCPA prosecution if they dared to play in the vicinity of Parliament. Cycle police were back after their Christmas/New Year break, about 28 in all - they usually don't turn up at all to the December ride. They barked orders and blocked the ride at some intersections but did a good job of corking and even told off a few drivers. Later they shut down a sound system in Whitehall.
Just before Oxford Circus, a wannabe saboteur threw a glass bottle into the road which shattered into lots of puncturing shards, something to watch out for in future.