Think they could be going after the "Critical Mass"
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264 arrested in NYC bicycle protest
From Jonathan Wald
CNN
Saturday, August 28, 2004 Posted: 8:46 PM EDT (0046 GMT)
NEW YORK (CNN) -- In the first major clampdown on protesters before
the Republican National Convention, New York police arrested 264
people Friday night during a mass demonstration.
About 5,000 cyclists gathered in Union Square Park at 6 p.m. for
"Critical Mass," a monthly bike ride around Manhattan, sponsored by
environmental group "Times Up!"
Police started making arrests at around 8:30 p.m. in several locations
along the bike route, including Madison Square Garden -- the venue for
the Republican National Convention. (Special Report: America Votes
2004, the Republican convention)
The cyclists caused "massive disruptions including of people trying to
get to the hospital and so we took appropriate action," said NYPD
Deputy Commissioner for Public Information, Paul Browne.(Protesters
use tech to help organize)
Cyclists said the bike ride was peaceful and the police acted
unreasonably.
"It was a very peaceful, friendly occasion, like a parade," said one
of the cyclists, Ellie Maxwell.
"Everyone was riding along when police suddenly penned us in and
started picking people off," Maxwell said.
"The police actually caused more disruptions than the cyclists because
they blocked off roads -- at one point for as long as an hour and a
half -- whereas the cyclists were always moving."
Most of those arrested were taken for processing to Pier 57 and will
be charged with disorderly conduct, an NYPD spokesman said.
The three-story, block-long pier has been converted to a holding pen
especially for those protesting the convention so that city precincts
will not be overrun by waves of arrests.
The pier can hold 1,000 people and will remain in operation until the
end of the U.S. Tennis Open.
Police distributed flyers at the start of the ride in Union Square
warning that anyone breaking traffic laws could be subject to arrest.
The monthly bike ride drew thousands more than usual due to the number
of people who wanted to protest against the convention.
"Critical Mass" takes place on the last Friday of every month to
promote the interests of bicyclists.
According to its Web site, "Critical Mass's aim is to make people take
notice of cyclists as road users."
"Although some obstruction of 'normal' traffic occurs," says the Web
site, "we are only seeking to raise the profile of cycling, and put
cycling and transport issues on the agenda so that they will not be
ignored."
An estimated 250,000 protesters are expected to march from Union
Square on Sunday past Madison Square Garden.
