Help for arrested in Walker's Point

Jon Olerud [reprinted from comments], 29.07.2005 22:55

This came in as a reply to the "upcoming" notice
for the 29July Critical Mass bike ride.

I would like to give me utmost sympathy for those that were arrested and battered by the Milwaukee Police Department. I would also like to help in any way to those whom were illegally thrown to the ground and pummeled for riding a nonmotorized cycle. I felt sick watching the young man getting thrown from his bike with complete disregard for the child in tow. I can only offer myself as a witness to help mediate the citations and brutality given out by the boys in blue. I saw the whole horrible incident from the start, and think people need to do something about the power mongering that goes on the Milwaukee Police Department. If anyone needs a witness and/or help regarding the incident, I would be more than happy to lend some eyes and a voice.
I am extremly proud of the people riding and have respect for each one of you.
If you need a witness please don't hesitate to contact me.
 joshuayopp@gmail.com

[ref]=[ http://mke.indymedia.org/en/2005/07/203782.shtml]

Police Intimidation 30.07.2005 - 00:07 Tonight, my second ride with Critical Mass, ended for three of us in being stopped and issued citations for "going throught red lights" near the corner of Pittsburgh and South First. We were ordered to the side walk, made to provide identification, issued $52.40 citations, and finger printed. This would seem to me a clear misuse of police resourses. How can Milwaukee be seen as a progressive place with such tactics being used? During the approximately thirty minutes we were detained on the walk, four of my friends passed by and expressed their surprise and dismay for such treatment in a city with serious crime issues. I intend to make my court appearance and would welcome networking with anyone else who might use tonight's unfortunate proceedings as an example that will not happen again. Paul Demcak> e-mail:: brewershil@aol.com 34 arrests of nyc critical mass riders 30.07.2005 - 00:43 here's an AP reprint from ny newsday: Police arrested at least 34 people Friday night in one of the more active crackdowns in months against a group of cycling enthusiasts who pedal through the streets of Manhattan en masse to call for more bike- friendly roads. Officers riding scooters corralled and grabbed dozens of cyclists among the hundreds participating in the once-a-month rides hosted by the group Critical Mass. The rides have been taking place for years but gained in both popularity and notoriety in the days leading up to the Republican National Convention in New York last summer. Since then, officers have arrested at least a few people during each of the rides, which are held the last Friday of every month. The city wants the group to apply for a permit to stage each ride. The cyclists say they shouldn't have to, because riding a bike on city streets is legal. Gideon Oliver, a lawyer who represents people arrested during the rides, said he had no reports of anyone being injured in Friday's arrests but complained that some riders were yanked off moving bicycles without warning. Most of those arrested will be charged with disorderly conduct and parading without a permit, police said.  http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--bicycleprotests0729jul29,0,4878650.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork marco> critical mass 30.07.2005 - 02:10 thanks a lot for your support. I was one of the people who were thrown to the ground voicing my disgust for how they were treating the first guy with the baby carriage. I definitely was expecting any of that to happen. What made the police ignore us the last month and then go nuts today? It doesn't make much sense. tom fosse> Thanks 30.07.2005 - 14:16 Thanks for your support, Jon. It is much appreciated. Perhaps they responded so brutally last night was because of thier incompetant approach to last month's. Just because they didn't do anything last month (perhaps they were busy...summerfest?) doesn't mean they didn't want to. They may have been unprepared for the numbers that came out in June. This month they were ready, kind of. It took them a while. Perhaps they felt the river valley would be a better place for arrests because fewer people would be around. nmc>