Police Violence at SF Critical Mass 14th Anniversary

Souring an otherwise wonderful and celebratory occasion, a motorcycle police officer (helmet number 1633) knocked a traveling bicyclist to the ground at the bottom of a bus ramp leading to the Transbay Transity Terminal and the Bay Bridge during the 14th Anniversary of San Francisco Critical Mass, Friday, September 29, 2006. A large group of bicyclists (hundreds if not thousands) had already ascended the ramp. The bicyclist was returning to the crowd below, evidently under the direction of another police officer. It is unknown whether serious injury was suffered. Sometimes a broken bone or internal injury takes time to be noticed, but can still be seriuos and even fatal. The unprovoked and senseless violence of officer 1633 must be addressed.

Although the crowd (estimated at 3,000 - 5,000) enjoyed a largely peaceful anniversary celebration, officers targeted at least one other cyclist with a citation for "impeding traffic," evidently related to the responsible practice of standing at the sides of intersections to ensure safe and efficient passage of the demonstration. It is unclear why officers chose that one individual for the enforcement action. Many participants assist in keeping the ride safe and smooth flowing by "corking," a common and successful practice throughout the history of Critical Mass. A legal team is assisting with his defense.

There was at least one incident reported in which a motorist assaulted a bicyclist. The righteous cause of safer streets and a more livable, sustainable world continues despite the oppression and violence bicyclists experience everyday and during demonstrations.

Critical Mass began in San Francisco in September, 1992 and within 6 months it had spread as far as Warsaw, Poland. It has occurred in at least 425 cities around the globe. See http://www.critical-mass.org/