Critical Mass - 6/30/06
Originally uploaded by holisticgeek
What a great day for a bike ride! Around 5:30pm on Friday, June 30, the weather was beginning to cool down as I rolled into Loring Park. What a site! Gathered around the fountain that greets you at the park entrance were about 200 people, ready to become traffic. On this last friday of the month, the “happy coincidence” of bike riders assemble all across the nation in metropolitan areas as a show of solidarity for people-powered transport. This was now my third Critical Mass ride, and has now become my favorite. This one I will remember for a long long time.
This, to me, is what building an impromptu community is like. Everyone having their own ideas in the mix of this diverse crowd. Decisions are made in a kind of “group consensus” when they happen. We all ride together, are friendly to one another, and have a good time together, even if we might not ever meet in the same social circles on other circumstances. I think that we all know what it’s like to try to ride a bike in a car dominated culture. We’ve all been told to “get off the street”, and we all know too well the risks of getting on the bike in the midst of stressed out, cell phone addicted, road-raging, fast flying motorists, who barely pay enough attention to see us. Some folks see the bicycle as part of a “revolution” to get un-addicted to oil, bunk the establishment, or simply a way of life that is more economical or meaningful than driving.
>My favorite parts of the ride this time were:
- The folks on homemade two-story bikes, who used their foot on the back wheel for braking
- The guy who raced out of his house with his bicycle to join us
- The guy on his skateboard who made superhero flying motions with his arms
- The kid who yelled “whoa! There’s gotta be a hundred bikes!”
- Everyone waving other bicyclists to join us
- The “bike stands” at Lyndale and Lake, and on Hennepin Avenue, where folks would lift their bikes over their heads in the street, as we all circled around them.
However, around Hennepin and 6th Street, the mood of the ride, along with the cheers from supporters on the street, turned bitter and disgraceful.
I looked back to see a guy fall off his bike in the intersection, then looked forward to see a police officer literally YANKING a guy right off his bike, pulling the guy’s backpack to almost rip it off his arms. I stopped to grab my camera to take a few shots of this, as I couldn’t believe it. He was just pulled off his bike.
Then I heard the yelling and cheering. After glancing away from the screen of my digital camera, I saw all 200 bike riders stopped - cheering, yelling, and witnessing this act - blocking all lanes of traffic on Hennepin Avenue. I was right in front of a Metro Transit bus. I got out of its way to let it go past. My partner, who drives bus for them, would have been proud.
On the other side of the street, I heard the rest of the story of the guy who crashed on his bike. He was grabbed off his bike too. Folks were yelling, “Did he hit his head?,” as an officer handcuffed him and pushed his face into a corner of a building. A woman was yelling, “Why are you handcuffing him? What is his charge?”
The officer then told another officer to grab her. I couldn’t believe it when I saw the other police officer quickly grab her wrist. I was genuinely moved by the expression on her face. Looking right into the officer’s eyes as his hand wrapped around her wrist, she was silent. Her expression seemed to ask, “Why are you doing this?” as she simply allowed this man to take her wrist. She offered no resistance.
I was shocked. Then I heard the police cars behind us, and the announcement to “move along” and to ride in the bike path or the right lane only. The pack started moving again, some complying and some still defying. Some were still stunned and watched on the sidewalk with other pedestrians.
Further down Hennepin Avenue, I saw a Metro Transit Police Van, along with four other officers on bikes pull over a guy for running a red light. They surrounded him on his bike, and he calmly pulled over for them. They were writing a ticket (later I heard they wrote numerous tickets) and I snapped a photo of him and the officers. It seemed peaceful. No rough contact, no handcuffs, and no disrespect. I heard someone say, “I’ve run maybe a thousand red lights on my bike, and maybe someday I’ll get that one ticket like that guy.”
On my ride home on Washington Avenue, the scenes just ran through my mind. How could they just pull these guys off their bikes? Why were two guys so brutally treated when one was pulled over for a traffic ticket in the same manner as any motorist? How would a motorist feel if an officer just yanked him out of his car in front of 200 other people?
We were peaceful. We looked out for each other. We had people who would help us stop traffic for that two minutes when they might have had to wait at a green light to let all of us pass. Is that two minutes waiting at an intersection because of a once-a-month critical mass worth the treatment that these two bicyclists received?
When I finally reached the bike trail at the Hiawatha Light Rail tracks, I saw a parked Metro Transit police car at the entrance. I thought of all the environmental damage that happens on that trail due to their cars as they take that trail. All you see is tire tracks on the grass - some of them deep trenches just filled with water. I wanted so badly to hop off my bike, grab my U-Lock, and just bash in it’s headlights, since there was no one sitting in it. But, I re-thought my desire, and chose a better road. Enough damage was done today. I chose a path towards peace, and continued on home.
More Photos of mine on Flickr!
I’m bummed I can’t join next month (every last friday at 5:30 we leave from Loring Park), but I’ll be back to ride with everyone again in August!
did you ever find out why those guys were pulled off their bikes?
Comment by darkjuan — July 1, 2006 @ 6:52 am
Minneapolis Critical Mass bike ride…
Until I stumbled upon this entry, I had no idea there was “a ‘happy coincidence’ of bike riders assembl[ing] all across the nation in metropolitan areas as a show of solidarity for people-powered transport.” Sounds like a fantastic idea, right?……
Trackback by Metroblogging Minneapolis — July 1, 2006 @ 7:43 am
Cross post this to Twin Cities Indymedia! Great story and bullshit cop crap - again…
Comment by John Slade — July 2, 2006 @ 9:38 pm
Hi -
I was also on the (quite fun) critical mass this June and witnessed what happened on Hennepin and 7th. If you want to find out a bit more of what happened, look on the Minneapolis Issues Forum under the heading ‘Critical Mass’ (www.e-democracy.org/mpls/) - hopefully there will be more discussion of the event here in the future as well. The young woman who was arrested for asking questions was charged with ‘disobeying an officer’ and ‘obstructing a pedestrian’. I’m not sure of the charges of the man who was pulled from his bike, but I believe they were fairly equivalent to a traffic ticket - they were both released later that night on bail. I encourage any of you who are interested or upset (as I am) to keep talking about this issue and put some pressure on public officials to react in some way to the event. We have to look at our systems and wonder what is wrong, and how to change it, when an individual can be arrested for asking for badge numbers and names - a legal right in the united states.
Critical Mass is a great tradition - a fun and respectful rally of riders who otherwise get no respect themselves. Next time let’s make it even bigger.
p.s. Your photos are great. Keep taking them, especially when they provide good evidence.
Comment by Lil — July 3, 2006 @ 2:39 pm
thanks for being there, holisticgeek, and taking pictures. the peaceful way is ALWAYS the best way. when the cops do stuff like this, writing down what you see, taking pictures, asking questions (even if they get you arrested - which is bull shit) are all very good ways to let the boys and girls in blue know that we are watching them and will hold them accountable.
BTW - the international bicycle film festival is descending upon mpls this thursday - saturday and there will no doubt be more cyclists taking to the streets this week. for more info, check out http://www.bicyclefilmfestival.com
ride on ya’ll
Comment by Andy — July 5, 2006 @ 9:55 am
Well, the thought of bashing in headlights… a whole other side of you! Although, the end choice is much more in line. Then again, you have always been filled with passion and emotion for the world and the plight of others, so perhaps not so surprising:) Thank you as always for providing a glimpse into life from different perspectives, different angles, and the often overlooked.
Best wishes for your trip to Oregon and can’t wait to see and hear the stories.
Peace Brother
Comment by Brian — July 7, 2006 @ 2:39 pm
Your post didn’t get published on Indymedia because your posting never got submitted beyond preview page.
Great story… as late as it is, I am taking the liberty of attempting to post your article. I assumed it is your intention to have the article appear. If I am wrong and you would like, you should be able to hide the article.
Comment by Eric — July 11, 2006 @ 10:22 pm
[...] The big days were those when I reported about the Minneapolis Critical Mass on June 30. I posted to a few lists and other independent media sites, plus sent out emails about the photos I captured. [...]
Pingback by holisticgeek’s peace ride » Great Stats for July, and prepping before leaving — July 25, 2006 @ 8:53 am
It’s great to know that someone is documenting Critical Mass here in the cities. I totally understand your impulse to smash in the headlights…can’t say I wouldn’ta done it, myself! You can count on me being there tomorrow! Hope to see you there w/ your camera…
Peace
Comment by Natty — July 27, 2006 @ 8:08 pm
THANK GOD I found this story about the peace ride!
Why? you ask. Because my bike was impounded by 4 police officers this last Tuesday when I was on my way to Volleyball at the Target Center courts. It left me reeling that I was treated like a petty thief. Accosted and ridiculed by officers almost trying to egg me on. When one officer decided my bike needs to get impounded because my “attitude” was of disgrace over such treatment, I finally said “It’s amazing it takes 4 cops to harass an up-standing citizen trying to do what she can for the environment by biking, when their energies could be better used flagging potential drunk drivers leaving The Local - but, oh yeah, I forgot, you only protect suits - the rest of us are scum right?” You can imagine where that got me. My bike impounded. But you know, I also said “you can have it, I’m in no rush to get it back - besides, I will contest this, and I will win!” They HATED me and I got under their skin and frankly telling off a BAD cop (not all are the same) was something that I WILL pay for. BUT, the tone and the direction our city is going in regarding bikers and others that are not deemed “capital” is apocalyptic.
Thanks for letting me share! I’m glad this prompted me to finally become involved in the community of bikers who are passionate about biking and the freedom it provides!
Comment by Andrea — August 24, 2006 @ 1:01 pm
I can’t believe they just pull a guy off the bike like that. It’s a lucky thing no one was hurt.
Comment by John Gall — July 25, 2007 @ 3:48 pm
That’s just ridiculous. We had similiar troubles at our ride a few days ago but no arrests were made. There were, however, threats of increased ticketing and force during future rides. With your permission, I’d like to reprint your story on our local Critical Mass sites. Solidarity!
Comment by CM Lawrence, KS — September 3, 2007 @ 1:29 pm
I was an inocent bystandard that was targeted and attacked by the minneapolis police department from Grant and Lessal all the way to Lessal and 16th Street where I was finally arrested.
I’m a black male, 28, was wearing a blue jean jacket coat (unbuttoned), and blue jeans… My digital camera that I was filming the incodent was smasked and destroyed, and I was brutalized by one of the 5 officers that were pressent at my arrest.
I lost my purchase of a pair of GoGo Shorts that I’d made at Rainbow Road (please if you know anything I would like them back)
If you witnessed my attack, have video or Pictures of it…
Please contact me at the Following address and send the info to me. I spent 3 days in jail and am currently out on bond for (PC Riot) and could end up going to trial any day now. Please don’t hessitate to send me the info.
Thank You
David K. Renz
david.kendall.renz@gmail.com
My Mobile Phone is in police custody as is my camera
My GoGo Shorts (I was told) was not collected by the police
Thank You for any help you can provide me.
Your Truely
David
Comment by David K. Renz — September 3, 2007 @ 1:34 pm
I Used To Ride A Motorcycle;Seems To
Me You Are Treated With The Same;Whether You
Ride A Motorcycle Or A Bicycle{I.E.;With Very
Little;Or NO Respect}…I Now Ride A Bicycle.
Comment by Dave Bloom — October 17, 2007 @ 5:30 am
Wow, a year and a half later and I just found this! Anyway, I was the guy who was pulled off his bike and arrested, then taken to jail. I was offered a plea bargain at my arraignment hearing. The deal was to plea guilty for all three charges accrued; Fleeing an officer on foot, obstruction of pedestrian traffic, and resisting arrest (they didn’t even charge me with posession, even though I had a full 1/8th of marijuana in my bag at the time). Being the stubborn person I am, I plead not-guilty on all charges and hired a lawyer. My lawyer, Jerry Messenbourg did an excellent job at getting me off the hook on these charges, as they were almost all complete b.s. (I did obstruct traffic, but so did at least 150 others. I did try to flee, unsuccessfully. That was the only one I think was a bad idea. I DID NOT resist arrest. I stood with my back facing the street, legs tense, and my head turned to the street so people could see that I was being calm). It cost me $1500 to not have a criminal record, but I firmly believe that it was worth it. The woman who questioned why I was being arrested was Jamie (can’t remember her last name). She was taken to jail at the same time as I was, and we were both released on bail later that night (around 1am). All of her charges were dropped at her arraignment hearing. All in all, I firmly believe that I did the right thing, as did Jamie. I’ve run into her a few times since that night, and she seems to feel the same way about the whole thing as I do.
Comment by Brian Dooley — January 3, 2008 @ 6:34 am