Title: 1st Amendment Right to Assemble Under Threat in NY -- Video of police harrassment of NYC Critical Mass ride Source:
The Glass Bead Collective URL Source:http://www.glassbeadcollective.org/CriticalMass_3-07.htm Published:Apr 20, 2007 Author:friends riding bicycles with friends Post Date:2007-04-20 12:56:28 by Ferret Mike Keywords:None Views:76 Comments:2
The NYPD now requires a permit for any public gathering, or 'parade', of 50 people or more. Section 1A of the city ruling defines a parade as "any march, motorcade, caravan, promenade, foot, or bicycle race, or similar event of any kind, procession or race which consists of a recognizable group of 50 or more pedestrians, vehicles, bicycles, or other devices move by human power, or ridden or herded animals proceeding together upon any public street or roadway."
This "redefinition" is Explicitly Prohibited in 1st Amendment.
"Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble ..."
This video shows how they intend to regulate free assembly while physically infringing upon the free press by following a typical monthly bike ride through Manhattan. ~ Critical Mass 3-30-07
Poster Comment:
Longish video by youtube standards, but well worth watching. The right to assemble doesn't exist according to the NYPD.
They will impound a bicycle if you ride it on the sidewalk in Manhattan. I was doing this and bolted without looking when some messengers shouted "look out!" warnings to me some years ago.
I looked back when I was a safe distance and the fat little oinkers who had nearly nabbed me were yelling at me to stop.
I didn't, in fact I surprised myself at how well I sprinted away to safety.
I have experianced serious harrassment while doing Critical mass rides. They attack and harrass them as per policy all across Amerikkka.
"G.W. Bush has gathered around him upper-crust C-students who know no history or geography." --Kurt Vonnegut