Sacramento Police Meets Critical Mass With Brutal Force. 4 arrests. 1 Felony

Last night's ride started out beautifully from cesar chavez park at about 5:30 with about 40 riders. We headed down the main downtown street (j street) for about 5 blocks, headed down 15th street, then zig zagged around the city for about a half hour before the police began their brutal and ruthless repression of the critical mass bike ride.

It started when an officer in a police car jumped out and attacked a rider who was stopped at a red light. For what was (arguably not) an infraction, the officer pulled the rider from his bike, cuffed him, and put him in the back of his cruiser.

The mass, which had picked up about 5-10 more riders since it started, was furious, and demanded an explanation for the actions of the police. There was no obvious reason to single out that particular rider, nor was their violence justified.

As we all waited in the intersection of 15th and J, a second rider was singled out and attacked by the police. And then a third was pulled from his bike and taken to another cruiser.

At about this time, a half naked man ran to the middle of the intersection, pulled his pants down, and raised his arms in celebration! Riders cheered, cars honked, and the pigs watched in utter dismay.

Two cops began to head towards the triumphant naked guy, who immediately pulled up his pants and took off running. The police jogged for about 20 steps, then realized that to chase down a half naked man would probably stir up their repressed homosexual desires in public, and ceased their pursuit.

The anonymous naked guy reigned victorious!

Out of nowhere, the fourth rider was viciously attacked by the police. The rider (who was standing on the sidewalk during a red light), was grabbed by the arm, his wrist was forcibly twisted into "pain compliance holds," to which the rider responded by repeatedly asking what the officer was doing. The officer stood there, twisting his wrist back and forth, obviously not trying to do anything except cause pain and injury. There was never any sort of communication from the officer to the rider, telling him what to do, so he just stood there, the officer making no attempt to either cuff him or give him directions.

The situation escalated further when several more officers ran over and tackled the rider to the ground. There were 4-5 officers pinning the rider to the ground, some kicking, others twisting his wrists, and yet another putting on handcuffs.

Muffled screams of "YOU ARE HURTING ME," and "PLEASE STOP," could be heard from underneath the pile of officers. Finally, an emotional cry of desperation, followed by and then outright bawling could be heard as the rider finally broke under all of the pain.

The officers dragged him (he was unable to walk) through bushes, over concrete, and to a cruiser, where they literally threw him into the backseat.

After things had seemingly finally reached the climax of energy and excitementy, the window of the police cruiser exploded outwards and shattered onto the sidewalk.

Everyone stood silent, shocked and amazed, not knowing what to do. A head poked out the window, slowly looking around and what had just happened, and ducked back inside as several officers dove into the police car to hog tie and get some easy cheap shots in on the still handcuffed individual.

By this time, there were approximately 15 police cars (including several undercover police cars) and dozens of cops swarming the area. Traffic had still not moved for about 15 minutes, as the police and the crowd clogged the street.

More and more pigs continued to arrive, some armed with pepper ball guns (similar to a paint ball gun, only substitute the paint in the balls for pepper spray chemicals), and several were armed with tazers, ready to blast 10,000 volts into unsuspecting nonviolent bicyclists.

The situation finally began to calm down and the crowd slowly dispersed over the next hour. The happy gas guzzling community was free to continue destroying the earth on their way home, the happy pigs had their taste of blood and wanted more, and the bike-ride was finally over.

The first arrestee was charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest. (arrested for resisting arrest.... try to figure that one out); he was finally let out of jail at approximately 6 am today.

The next two arrestees were driven several blocks away, given traffic tickets, and sent on their way.

The final arrestee was charged with FELONY VANDALISM for allegedly breaking the cop car window, and with misdemeanor resisting arrest. THIS FELONY IS BULLSHIT! Felony vandalism is defined as over $5,000 in damage. One window? $300 at the MOST! It is absolutely ridiculous and disgusting that the police would be so bold to charge this individual with a felony after literally attacking him with no provocation. His bail was set at $5,000, he himself paid the 10% of that needed for his release. Several people have already pitched in what they could so he does not have to carry the financial burden on his own. If you can make any sort of donation to help out, PLEASE EMAIL sacmass (at) hotmail.com

Are we scared? Did the police win? Did their show of force destroy the newly revived critical mass bike rides in sacramento?
FUCK NO

ON THE LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH (JUNE 24), WE WILL MEET AT 5PM at FREMONT PARK IN SACRAMENTO, AND RIDE AT 5:30.
fremont park is located between P and Q streets, between 15th and 16th streets in midtown.
WE NEED TO SHOW THE PIGS THEY HAVEN'T STOPPED CRITICAL MASS, AND THAT THEY'VE ONLY STRENGTHENED OUR RESOLVE AND DETERMINATION TO RIDE.
The more riders that come, the safer it will be for everyone: Safety in numbers.

This type of brutal police behavior is absolutely unacceptable, and we will not stand for it. See everyone on the 24th.

sacmass [at] hotmail.com