Critical Mass Illegal ???

[citydreams]

The next one is on Friday 28th, in case anyone is wondering. Any other urban people fancy it?

With bells on!

Think it's going to be a particularly noisy one too

 

[Major Tom]

print and distribute this leaflet

in the wake of police attempt to criminalise the 12 year old critical mass
cycle rides, here is a pdf flier (two on an A4 format) to print and
distribute widely to try and create a thousand cyclist critical mass for the
28th october

Generic media critical mass leaflet.pdf -
https://www1.indymedia.org.uk/media/2005/10/324882.pdf

see articles at
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/10/324825.html
and
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/10/324763.html

for background on this repressive act by metropolitan police, and then help
make the next critical mass the biggest in history by downloading, printing,
and widely distributing the enclosed pdf document.
this is an A4 printout, double sided, that can be cut in two to create two
A5 fliers.
please distrubute at your local cycle shop, library, health food store,
newsagent, community centre, etc. etc. etc.


https://www1.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/10/324881.html

 

[Major Tom]

Does it? the operative bit of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act says:
(2) The behaviour referred to in subsection (1) is any behaviour which has or could have any of the following results—
(a) hindering any person from entering or leaving the Palace of
Westminster,
(b) hindering the proper operation of Parliament, or
(c) spoiling the visual aspect, or otherwise spoiling the enjoyment by
members of the public, of any part of the designated area.

S123 of this pdf
So do cyclists really spoil the visual aspect or what?

Surely everyone who partakes in that daily event called rush-hour is liable under this law.

 

[newbie]

Indeed, that's what makes it purely repressive, because it places the burden of proof on the individual to show that what they were doing could not have any of those effects.

It doesn't, however, inform any individual cyclist that what they're doing is necessarily illegal, merely that if instructed by a cop to stop doing it the instruction is backed by new powers of arrest (as if their existing powers weren't sufficient!).

One shouldn't assume (as was done above) that the new act makes it illegal to cycle past Parliament slowly in the company of a few mates. That depends on the attitude of the courts to such sweeping wooliness.

 

[citydreams]

24,000 attend critical mass

Budapest, Hungary has experienced its greatest Critical Mass bike ride ever on September 22, 2005. Estimates range between 24,000 and 30,000. This would therefore also make it one of the greatest Critical Mass rides in history.

http://www.indymedia.org/en/2005/09/825163.shtml


whistle posse make some noise

 

[winjer]

It's not a demonstration, it's a cycling tour of the city .

Doesn't matter, the relevant law (s12 POA 1986) applies to both.

 

[aurora green]

Budapest, Hungary has experienced its greatest Critical Mass bike ride ever on September 22, 2005. Estimates range between 24,000 and 30,000. This would therefore also make it one of the greatest Critical Mass rides in history.

http://www.indymedia.org/en/2005/09/825163.shtml


whistle posse make some noise

Wow!

 

[winjer]

Hmmm - they are right!! The new law does mean that Critical Mass passing within 1/2 mile of Parliament is illegal.

No, they are wrong because those new laws do not apply to public processions (s132 (3) SOCPA 2005). They are also potentially wrong about the need to give notice since for the purpose of the relevant law (s11 POA 1986) the procession has to be to demonstrate support for (or opposition to) some other people, publicising a cause, or commemorating an event. However, they are right that they can impose conditions on processions (s12 POA 1986 and in exceptional circumstances s13).

 

[winjer]

Does it? the operative bit of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act says:
(2) The behaviour referred to in subsection (1) is any behaviour which has or could have any of the following results—
(a) hindering any person from entering or leaving the Palace of
Westminster,
(b) hindering the proper operation of Parliament, or
(c) spoiling the visual aspect, or otherwise spoiling the enjoyment by
members of the public, of any part of the designated area.

That is from a draft of the bill, none of those conditions are mentioned in the final text of the of Act as passed, which only refers to demonstrations without specifying what actually constitutes a demonstration apart from making specific exceptions for processions and union pickets.

 

[citydreams]

Letter from Jenny Jones to (Sir) Ian Blair

Sir Ian Blair
Metropolitan Police Commissioner
New Scotland Yard
Tower Block
N5Y

Dear Ian,

Critical Mass Bike Ride

I am writing to outline my concerns about plans to label the Critical Mass
Bike Ride as a demonstration and therefore require it to have permission
from the police as well as permission to travel through the restriction zone
around Parliament.

1) Many people do not see Critical Mass as a demonstration, but
more like a hundred people getting on the same train at London Bridge.

2) According to the public order branch of the MPS, Critical
Mass would not meet the definition of demonstration set out by the Serious
Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. The bill requires that the protest is
static and has a political message.

3) Critical Mass has operated peacefully in this country for 11
years. There is nothing to suggest that this is likely to change and the
heavy-handed application of the Serious Organised Crime Act and other
legislation is surely unnecessary.

4) Given the fact that Critical Mass has been happening for so
long it may be the case that it does not need permission under the Serious
Organised Crime Act.

5) Operational issues may arise in attempting to arrest
attendees at Critical Mass. How will the police distinguish between ordinary
commuters who are going about their business and those who are attending
Critical Mass?

6) I shall be attending the next Critical Mass as a direct
response to attempts by police to 'crack down' on it. I can only imagine
that dozens of other Londoners will feel similarly obliged to stand up for
their right to cycle around London.

I urge you to review this situation and allow Critical Mass to go ahead
unimpeded.


Jenny Jones

Green Party Member of the London Assembly
Mayor's Road Safety Ambassador
Member of the Metropolitan Police Authority

 

[citydreams]

Cyclists to defy police in pedal power revolt

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1586675,00.html

Hugh Muir
Friday October 7, 2005
The Guardian

Up to a hundred cyclists will defy a police order and ride their bikes around Westminster to highlight new public order restrictions.

Scotland Yard has been warned that the monthly Critical Mass bike ride will go ahead without police permission. After last month's ride, the Met warned cyclists the event will be illegal without six days' notice and permission.

 

[comicstripgirl]

I got this suggested reply to the police e-mailed to me:
"Thank you for your letter of the 29th in which you raised your concern that perhaps cyclists might be breaking the law by organising public processions. However, your concern is misplaced since the monthly community ride is not a procession or indeed a protest.
Critical mass has no route and no organisers and doesn't aim to be a demonstration. While new draconian laws now prohibit democracy around Parliament without prior notification this really has nothing to do with the monthly critical mass bike ride which is an ongoing event and nothing new - just like Brian Haw's constant vigil. Police may like to impose conditions on critical mass and arrest participants not complying to such conditions. However, nobody involved in the ride is in a position to negotiate with the police as the event is by nature, unorganised and without leaders. These cycle rides are lawful even though no organiser has provided police the with the necessary notification and while participation may render one liable to wrongful arrest I am certain that we would be victorious in court and well compensated for any assault or unlawful detention resulting from such an action. If you intend to review police policy in 'facilitating' these events please refer to the dozens of critical mass related websites. It is preferable for all parties to be aware of Human Rights Acts so that unlawful acts by the police can be avoided, rather than wasting court time on overturning bad legislation."


I think it's important to remember that cyclists don't block the traffic – we ARE the traffic!!!

 

[Bristly Pioneer]

I wonder what would happen if every CM rider applied to the met for their own cycle ride from waterloo bridge? Literally flood them with paperwork? We could infact do it everytime we wished to commute to work on our bikes?

 

[cemertyone]

If the last C.M. was the 26th.....what was the re-action from the police...any one have any first hand reports?????
I looked at the C.M. web site but there does not seem to be any thing mentioned.

 

[comicstripgirl]

At the top of the CM website is says:
** Latest on CM London under threat from police, info page coming soon, in the meantime see here **
https://publish.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/10/324919.html

 

[amigiac]

September CM

If the last C.M. was the 26th.....what was the re-action from the police...any one have any first hand reports?????
I looked at the C.M. web site but there does not seem to be any thing mentioned.

The September mass was great, the only trouble from the police was in Parliament Sq when we cycled around and around a bit excessively, they blocked the road and after a while we went a different way.

The police were just the same as always, one even appologised to me for the letter saying it came from above and he didn't aggree with it, I'm sure they will soon change their minds if they get fresh orders though.

 

[lostexpectation]

how disappionting

oh that was last friday, cool, how many were there pics etc?

ok now you can tell the cops to fuck off you don't need em

 

[cemertyone]

The September mass was great, the only trouble from the police was in Parliament Sq when we cycled around and around a bit excessively, they blocked the road and after a while we went a different way.

The police were just the same as always, one even appologised to me for the letter saying it came from above and he didn't aggree with it, I'm sure they will soon change their minds if they get fresh orders though.

Right fuck it... I`m buying a bike so i can do some of this shit.............

 

[newbie]

was anyone on this protest nicked?

 

[lostexpectation]

maybe not

it didn't even occur to me when i read about it, maybe not, there was probably too many celebs and cameras there.

 

[winjer]

was anyone on this protest nicked?

Don't think so, they probably had permission.

 

[Bristly Pioneer]

I have had my thinking hat on, and come up with an idea.

Perhaps what critical mass needs is multiple meeting points, which converge on waterloo bridge at 6pm. I mean multiple as in a dozen or so, not just an east west etc. This would get around a number of problems, and spread police thinly.

Plus for all newbie cyclists, it would mean they could travel to the mass with company too. CM is a great way to learn to cycle in the city, but you have to get your bike into central London first which is quite daunting.

 

[rich!]

Plus for all newbie cyclists, it would mean they could travel to the mass with company too. CM is a great way to learn to cycle in the city, but you have to get your bike into central London first which is quite daunting.

London cycling campaign branches often arrange "ride-to-mass" things.

http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=861

random shout to islington crew.

 

[maomao]

I have had my thinking hat on, and come up with an idea.

Perhaps what critical mass needs is multiple meeting points, which converge on waterloo bridge at 6pm. I mean multiple as in a dozen or so, not just an east west etc. This would get around a number of problems, and spread police thinly.

Plus for all newbie cyclists, it would mean they could travel to the mass with company too. CM is a great way to learn to cycle in the city, but you have to get your bike into central London first which is quite daunting.

But surely that would allow the police to claim that it is organised.

 

[TAE]

The new law does mean that Critical Mass passing within 1/2 mile of Parliament is illegal.

When exactly does "cycling down the road when a bunch of other people are cycling down the road" become illegal?

I can see that trying to organise such an event might be illegal, but I'd love to know what would happen if a bunch of non-political people happend to be cycling down the same road as the critical mass folks. How would the police differentiate the demonstrators from the cyclists - legally speaking.

Especially when the event happens the same time every week/month, such that there IS no organiser anymore.

Most protests can be defined by the fact that people are either loitering or walking on the road, but how can simply cycling from a to b ever be distinguished from simply cycling from a to b, so to speak?

That's one thing that concerns me about many of these so called anti-terror laws, they are targetted at vague 'intentions' rather than concrete actions.

It would be better to try to link up with a legal demo already occuring... That would show up the law...

I was also wondering whether joining the (very) ongoing demonstration at parliament square would be illegal.

 

[comicstripgirl]

Perhaps what critical mass needs is multiple meeting points, which converge on waterloo bridge at 6pm. I mean multiple as in a dozen or so, not just an east west etc. This would get around a number of problems, and spread police thinly.

Why should the idea of Critical Mass which has been going for 11 years without any problems whatsoever suddenly change after the police threatens to arrest people who are cycling (not demonstrating) together?!
I think your idea just plays straight into the hands of the police.

 

[richtea]

multiple meeting points would play into the hands of those who don't accept that the mass is a 'coincidence', with no organisers, etc. think the best thing to do is just turn up as normal and ride - i think the police are going to do fuck all to be honest.

a lot of leafleting would be good to bump the numbers up though - download a flyer from here