27th July Critical Mass

[ffsear]

I know very little of the law, i base my actions purely on morals and common sense. Personally I would have rode my bike somewhere else that day!

 

[pissflaps]

and that is entirely your choice. as much as it was the choice of the folks who chose to ride their bikes where they did on the day in question.

 

[pissflaps]

and what do your morals and common sense tell you about the wrongful arrest of just under 200 people with only 10 odd of those being charged?

 

[ffsear]

It tells me champagne socialism is at an all time high!

 

[pissflaps]

yawn.

troll. 2/10.

 

[ffsear]

sorry, My common sense would have told me that arrests were probably always going to happen. My morels would have lead me to ride my bike somewhere else rather then go looking for trouble.

 

[pissflaps]

no one was looking for trouble - the trouble started when the police blocked north bound access by closing of all the bridges. The police escalated the situation, not the people going lawfully about their business on bicycles.

a bit of a non-sequitur, but an actual protest against the olympic lanes organised by the black cab industry went off without any kettling, pepper spraying or arrests.

 

[ddraig]

sorry, My common sense would have told me that arrests were probably always going to happen. My morels would have lead me to ride my bike somewhere else rather then go looking for trouble.

what have morals got to do with it?
did you see the videos?

 

[fredfelt]

no one was looking for trouble - the trouble started when the police blocked north bound access by closing of all the bridges. The police escalated the situation, not the people going lawfully about their business on bicycles.

a bit of a non-sequitur, but an actual protest against the olympic lanes organised by the black cab industry went off without any kettling, pepper spraying or arrests.

Do you know if the 'section 12' would have also be applicable to the taxi protest?

 

[ffsear]

If its just a bike ride, and nothing else then morals don't come into question. But if your riding under the banner of "critical mass" straight into a police security operation, then I think its fair to ask questions.

 

[butchersapron]

If its just a bike ride, and nothing else then morals don't come into question. But if your riding under the banner of "critical mass" straight into a police security operation, then I think its fair to ask questions.

Like what? By who?

 

[pissflaps]

@fredflet

i do not. once again, i am only recounting what i recall reading in the papers at the time. presumably it would, as it was a registered protest, unlike CM.

/le shrug

http://london.indymedia.org/articles/12612

 

[fredfelt]

@fredflet

i do not. once again, i am only recounting what i recall reading in the papers at the time. presumably it would, as it was a registered protest, unlike CM.

/le shrug

http://london.indymedia.org/articles/12612

Thanks. I asked as I just looked up 'section 12' and I was surprised to see it applied to CM. It seems the arrests were made to

"to prevent serious public disorder, serious criminal damage or serious disruption to the life of the community"

Hmmm.

Mostly unrelated but perhaps of interest it seems that section 5 of the same act is being campaigned against by several notable people, including Stephen Fry.

 

[pissflaps]

i suspect that the judge may well decree that the use of section 12 in this instance was lawful. which is depressing.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

i suspect that the judge may well decree that the use of section 12 in this instance was lawful. which is depressing.

Yes that is what happened - though it could always be open to appeal.

I was up there at the court yesterday. It's on to the defence witnesses now. It seems to be very much in the balance from what I could see....though some seem to think the police evidence is not holding up well. They have adjourned for a week cos they've run out of court time. Case resumes next Wednesday.

If anyone can get up there to the court and show their support, that would be great. There's about 15-20 seats in the public gallery and you can just turn up. Cases start at 10am - get there 10 mins early so you can get through security (you may have to leave your bike helmet etc at reception) - and run til about 4pm with an hour for lunch at about 1pm.

Westminster Magistrates Court, Marylebone Road (corner of Seymour Place.)

 

[Bernie Gunther]

sorry, My common sense would have told me that arrests were probably always going to happen. My morels would have lead me to ride my bike somewhere else rather then go looking for trouble.

Never knew they had mind-altering properties ...

 

[ffsear]

 

[juneohzn]

Hi guys,

Anybody know if there will still be a critical mass gathering at central London on 29 April 2013?

 

[anathemas]

Hi guys,

Anybody know if there will still be a critical mass gathering at central London on 29 April 2013?

On a 'Monday'? More likely the 19th anniversary of Critical Mass on the Friday, 27th April 2013.

The one in March was a fine one

https://network23.org/ana/critical-mass-london-march-2013/