Critical Mass bicyclists prevail in permit case

[DoYouEverWonder]

January 11, 2006

A criminal court judge in Manhattan has held that the city's main weapon in its campaign against the Critical Mass bicycle ride is unconstitutional.

Deciding the case of eight cyclists arrested in January 2005, Judge Gerald Harris wrote in a 17-page ruling that the city's parading without a permit statute is "overly broad" and "unconstitutional on its face."

The Police Department has been relying on the statute to make arrests in an effort over the past 18 months to rein in Critical Mass, a loosely organized bicycle ride which starts at Union Square and meanders through midtown streets one Friday evening each month.

More than 2,100 people have been arrested under the parading charge in the period, the majority during the 2004 Republican Convention.


http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/crime/nyc-bike0111,0,6821430.story?coll=nyc-homepage-breaking2


Good for them.

[ixion]

1. good to hear this

I felt that it was unconstitutional.

[pberq]

2. Kick! - Recommended - Good News!

[mcscajun]

3. Yes! Freedom of Assembly Wins Out!

:woohoo:

[HuffleClaw]

4. i wouldn't be cheering just yet

they'll just appeal it until alito and pals rule in the state's favour.

[Mountainman]

5. What is a critical mass bike ride like? Does it cause anyone any

problems? Why would any city be trying to stop it? I don't understand either side. Where does the name critical mass come from and what does it mean? What is the motivation behind it?

My thoughts on the matter come from what I have heard about a critical mass bike ride in San Francisco.

[meganmonkey]

6. Same idea as San Fran

http://critical-mass.info/

[davidinalameda]

7. it does cause traffic problems

speaking as someone who has been stuck in traffic due to CM

but it's a good nonviolent way to protest how unfair people are to bicyclists

I know not to drive in SF on the last Friday of the month--that's when they have their ride

[Fredda Weinberg]

8. "blocking traffic" charge upheld

http://www.villagevoice.com/blogs/powerplays/archives/002313.php