Remember DNC Critical Mass 2000
Thread started by
sexy at 09.8.06 - 12:08 pm
I see there is a love affair going on with the Ridazzz and LAPD.
Maybe some of you weren't in LA on Aug 14, 2000. Some of you might not have been in the bicycle culture community in 2000. If you don't know your history, learn it. If you lived it, remember it. For those who did ride the Aug 14, 2000 DNC Critical Mass, you might remember the two days in jail, if you where a girl who got arrested in that ride, you might remember the illeagal body cavity searches, you endoured. You might have been the unilucky person who now has pernamet nerve damage from the police tightening their cuffs too tightly on you. If you don't know what I'm talking about. Look it up on a search engine her is one link http://www.bclu.org/stories/demonstrations/lacm.html
read Susanne Blossom op ed for the LA Times.
I do remember being late for the ride and when I found it, the participants where standing with there hands on their heads having to face a fence, as their bikes were piled on to a truck without reguard or care for them. The ride was escorted by police who encouraged the riders to go through red lights, the then blocked them in and arrested them.
Also be careful what you say to whom, If you read this whole link you find one of our own LA ride organizer and bike shop owner being quoted saying something that justifies the arrest.
If you are the LAPD reading this thread, remember your Department's actions cost the city of Los Angeles $2.1 in civil court.
Yes all of the City of Los Angeles had to pay this. I hope your department learned from this, so not to violate anyones rights or scare your own image again. Remember whats written on your mission statement.
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sounds like an ugly scene and kudos on winning the judgement... any time the cops do wrong then they should be punished. unfortunately most of the time the city coffers are what gets punished but at least an amount that high will get the attention it deserves in the press and perhaps some reform maybe possibly might happen as a result :)
fortunately the cops have been really cool to the Midnight Ridazz even going so far as to cork for us on RIOT ON SUNSET STRIP it was actually a good thing. I wouldn't call it a love affair... that's a bit extreme. I know they just want us to be on our way and out of their sight but the friendly relations can continue based on that tacit alliance.
we will be passing through a number of divisions tonight and it would be in the best interests of everybody to relax and treat the cops with respect even if they try to harass us. there's no need to make our relationship with them adversarial as we are simply riding bikes. stay out of the left lane and obey all laws. believe it or not there's nothing more disarming to a raging cop then to just be quiet and be calm. we arent doing anything wrong. community shaming works on them too.
though I agree that there are a lot of cops who have lost sight of their job definitions .. for example a few weeks ago I happend upon a large protest against the occupation of Lebanon/Iraq/Palestine and I was sitting next to a nest of bike cops who were just laughing and making snide remarks about the protestors as though they had no idea their job was to be a neutral custodian of the peace not outwardly judging of people's views....... kind of highschoolish like banter I would characterize it as. I blame it on the under-funded education system for not doing more to teach people how to be critical thinkers and to respect other points of view. This goes for all sides. the fact that some cops are overbearing and short sighted does not mean we have to lose site of the goal here which is simply to ride a bike.
We are riding bikes. THAT is our political statement. Lets keep it friendly with the cops. in this situation they are not the enemy they are our friends.
Roadblock09.8.06 - 12:56 pm
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Yeah the DNC sucked. Though, being arrested there for "Bike Crimes" did inspire my resolve to build Bike Culture in Los Angeles, there is absolutely no way I'm ever gonna let my myself be arrested again. My advice is play nice to up to a point, then, if it seems arrests are going happen, flee for your liberty. Or be a martyr if you wish. Not me. No way.
I have wondered if the DNC suit has had some effect on how the LAPD deals with large rides such as the Ridazz. Can't say. What I can say is I'll be out there tonight riding the bike they paid for!!
TAR09.8.06 - 5:04 pm
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2000 was six years ago. Learn from the past, don't dwell on it.
Sure, some cops are narrow-minded assholes, but remember, some cyclists are narrow-minded assholes as well. There are even some narrow-minded asshole cop cyclists!
Extremism sucks no matter what side of the proverbial fence the extremists are on.
A "love affair" and "cooperation" are apples and oranges.
Jeronimo09.8.06 - 5:14 pm
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"I have wondered if the DNC suit has had some effect on how the LAPD deals with large rides such as the Ridazz. Can't say. What I can say is I'll be out there tonight riding the bike they paid for!!"
wow you guys actually got money out of it? that's cool. usually it seems like the lawyers get all the dough. Ride On!
Roadblock09.8.06 - 5:41 pm
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"Extremism sucks no matter what side of the proverbial fence the extremists are on. "
well said....
Roadblock09.8.06 - 5:42 pm
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Ridazz Roulette!