Big Win for Critical Mass Supporters

The problem is Ray Kelly and Bloomberg consider violations for First Amendment

Protections and related law suits just part of the cost of doing business.

Still its a big win showing we have been on the right side of history.

Way to go everyone involved.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/nyregion/19critical.html?ref=nyregion

http://times-up.org/index.php?page=hostorical-significance-of-critical-mass

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MEDIA ALERT - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK CITY SETTLES 83 CRITICAL MASS ARRESTEES’ CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUIT FOR $965,000

A press conference will be held 1:30 PM Tuesday, October 19th

Time’s Up! Press Contact: Barbara Ross - 917.494.8164, press@times-up.org
Plaintiffs’ Attorney Contacts: David B. Rankin - 212.226.4507, Gideon Oliver - 646.263.3495

When: Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at 1:30 PM

Where: Pearl Street steps, U.S. Federal Court House, 500 Pearl Street, Lower Manhattan

Who: Plaintiffs, Critical Mass participants, and attorneys Gideon Oliver and David B. Rankin

Details: A $965,000 settlement has been reached and was made public by the court on Monday in a civil rights lawsuit brought against the City of New York by 83 cyclists who were among hundreds arrested by the New York City Police Department on the nights of Critical Mass bicycle rides beginning just before the 2004 Republican National Convention and continuing through 2006.

Participants, including attorneys, will discuss the lawsuit and settlement, as well as, among other topics:

• The NYPD’s wasteful and dangerous use of police resources in response to Critical Mass rides since the 2004 RNC
• The lack of oversight of the NYPD’s Critical Mass policing by the NYPD, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and the New York City Council since the 2004 RNC
• The chilling effects of the crackdown on present Critical Mass rides in NYC

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Critical Mass is a monthly celebration of non-polluting transportation, which takes place in hundreds of cities around the world. Critical Mass and other group bicycle rides have contributed to increased cycling and safer streets.

For more than 20 years, Time’s Up! Environmental Group has worked to educate people about the environmental impacts of everyday decisions, from the food we buy to the means of transportation we use.