NYC police arrest 250 in bicycle protest

AP ^ | 8/27/2004, 11:13 p.m. ET | VERENA DOBNIK

[quantim]

NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly 250 bicyclists were arrested during a mass protest that passed Madison Square Garden Friday night, the first major police crackdown on demonstrators just days before a wave of activists were expected to descend for the Republican National Convention.

The cyclists had snaked through Manhattan for the monthly Critical Mass ride. But what was usually a crowd of hundreds swelled to thousands Friday, with organizers saying the excursion drew a horde of bikers who wanted to protest the convention.

Police Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne said the cyclists had caused "massive disruptions" and endangered motorists trying to drive through the city. About 250 cyclists were arrested, including one for throwing a beer can at an officer, he said. The officer was uninjured.

"We gave them every opportunity to comply with the law," Browne said. "Those who didn't were arrested."

Police had passed out leaflets to the riders, who started their procession at Union Square, warning them not to ride more than two abreast, Browne said. Many of them ignored that warning, he said, causing massive traffic disruptions.

During the ride, bikers chanted anti-Bush slogans, stifled traffic and, in some places, argued with motorists.

"I think they (police) want to set a precedent for how they want people to protest," said cyclist Jennifer Brustein. "This is a big time for us to show that we won't be intimidated."

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[Jeff Chandler]

I hope they're smart enough to lock protesters up in jails far away from the convention. They just might need those cells later on.

[Mike1973]

Good training for next week. Just as long as the bicyclists don't take up too much room. I don't want the jails in NYC to fill up before the real idiots show up.

[Terpfen]

"... the first major police crackdown..."

Aw, isn't that cute. Now we know what the AP will be writing about during the RNC. Hint: it won't be about the events indoors.

[thoughtomator]

Ah, so that's what went on earlier... I saw (and heard) the cyclists, then a half-hour later there was a line of at least 6 police vans plus accompaniment.

[concerned about politics]

cyclists had caused "massive disruptions" and endangered motorists

John Kerry supporters.
These are Democrats.

Every body get that?
The NYC protesters are Democrats, and they're working for John Kerry.

(Pass it on)

[Rakkasan1]

dykes on bikes?

[Rokke]

Local Philly news just showed footage of a guy holding a Kerry/Edwards sign, sucker punch a guy holding a Bush/Cheney sign. The cops were right there and put the Kerry supporter in cuffs (he didn't let go of his sign while they cuffed him). The protestors working for Kerry in Philly seem to be just as well-behaved as the protestors working for Kerry in New York.

[OregonRepublican]

the motorist should do us all a favor and hit them

[MJY1288]

Lock them up until their day in Court. Hopefully a month or two from now

[LikeLight]

What channel . . . video on their web site?

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

We have these Critical Massholes out here in San Francisco too. IMO, each one gets 30 days in the hole, a $5,000 fine, and their bicycles confiscated and sold to defray the cost of law enforcement.

[Rokke]

Channel 10. NBC. I don't even know if they have a website. I never watch any of the networks, but I'm at work and someone was just watching the Olympics.

[Arizona Carolyn]

I hope they cleared a whole section at Rikers and start filling it up and then throw the keys away --

[Cvengr]

I wonder what a bicycle with 'The Boot' on it would look like???

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Just as long as the bicyclists don't take up too much room. I don't want the jails in NYC to fill up before the real idiots show up.

Isn't Attica still available?

[GAGOPSWEEPTOVICTORY]

Enjoy your visit to the tombs, you hippie scum. May you not come out for a week or so as your paperwork is "lost."

[Iberian]

I'll buy the Huffy for ten dollars. I'll take the Cannodales for 200 no questions asked.

What a bunch of scum. Since I have followed politics here in the states, I have never seen such a charge of followers heading towards a landslide.

This is sorta like the Salmon going up to a concreete dam.

[jwalburg]

That might be part of the strategy, to fill the jails before the convention even begins.

[Rome2000]

			Cooper for President John Kerry Falls Off Bike, Receives Two More Purple Hearts

<!-- A.NavBar:link {color: white ; text-decoration: none} A.NavBar:visited {color: white ; text-decoration: none} A.NavBar:active {color: white ; text-decoration: underline} A.NavBar:hover {color: #000000 ; text-decoration: underline} --> Home No Shit Sherlock Site Guide Cooper Store Who is this 'tard? Socially Retarded Swiftvets John Kerry Sucks John Kerry Botox Michael Moore Sucks Craig Rosebraugh Racist Liberals The Media Fund Alien vs. Predator Endorsements En Espanol Esses and Vatos Love Letters Hate Mail Contact us Links		Concord, Mass - Extreme sports enthusiast (and extreme longshot presidential candidate) John F. Kerry was injured Sunday in preparation for the upcoming X-games. He was training for the Mountain Dew 10 k Bikeathon, when he apparently crashed. Although his wounds were eventually deemed superficial, he has already demanded (and received) an additional two Purple Hearts for being injured during a time of war.   Authorities have yet to comment on the rumor that one of his six-foot long oversized Vietnam combat ribbons (which he had made specifically for the presidential campaign) got caught in his spokes, contributing to his tumble. After the accident, Kerry was life-flighted to Cedar Sinai Medical Hospital where he was greeted by hundreds of supporters from the "mainstream" media.   It is still unknown whether or not Senator Kerry's wife, Teresa, was able to "kiss the boo-boo and make it better." However, we are pleased to announce that both the basket and horn on his bike were undamaged (although the baseball card he had hooked up into his spokes to make a "really cool noise" was completely destroyed). Kerry's Campaign Manager (speaking on condition of anonymity) had this to say: "You've got to admire the irony of the whole situation. The senator crashed after hitting a patch of sand, which is pretty much what happened to his campaign after he started to inject politics into the Iraq War. Get it? Sand? Iraq?" He further went on to say that any Democrat who wants to continue to politicize the war on terrorism is free to do so at his or her own karmaic risk.           (C) 2004, Cooper for President