London Critical Mass 30th September 2005
Bill | 01.10.2005 11:29 | Repression | Social Struggles | London
Last night at the 30th September 2005 London Critical Mass a letter was distributed by cycle police to participants before the start of the ride. Here is a transcription.
Last night at the 30th September 2005 London Critical Mass a letter was distributed by cycle police to participants before the start of the ride. Here is a transcription.
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Metropolitan Police Service
CO11 Public Order Branch
New Scotland Yard
Broadway
London
SW11 OBG
Your reference: -
Our reference: -
Date: 29/09/2005
Critical Mass Cycle Demonstrations
Organisers of public processions are required by law to notify police at least 6 days before the event occurs of the date, time, proposed route and the name and address of an organiser. Failure to do so makes the event unlawful
Demonstrations within a designated area around Parliament must also be notified, and anyone taking part in an unauthorised demonstration commits an offence.
Police can impose conditions on processions, demonstrations and other assemblies, and participants render themselves liable to arrest if they fail to comply with those conditions.
These cycle protests are not lawful because no organiser has provided police the with the necessary notification. Your participation in this event could render you liable to prosecution. Police policy in facilitating these events is currently under review.
If you intend to organise a future similar event please refer to the Metropolitan Police website, www.met.police.uk for details. It is preferable for all parties if a lawful event can be safely facilitated, rather than the Police having to enforce legislation.
[signed]
Super intendent Gomm,
New Scotland Yard
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---
Metropolitan Police Service
CO11 Public Order Branch
New Scotland Yard
Broadway
London
SW11 OBG
Your reference: -
Our reference: -
Date: 29/09/2005
Critical Mass Cycle Demonstrations
Organisers of public processions are required by law to notify police at least 6 days before the event occurs of the date, time, proposed route and the name and address of an organiser. Failure to do so makes the event unlawful
Demonstrations within a designated area around Parliament must also be notified, and anyone taking part in an unauthorised demonstration commits an offence.
Police can impose conditions on processions, demonstrations and other assemblies, and participants render themselves liable to arrest if they fail to comply with those conditions.
These cycle protests are not lawful because no organiser has provided police the with the necessary notification. Your participation in this event could render you liable to prosecution. Police policy in facilitating these events is currently under review.
If you intend to organise a future similar event please refer to the Metropolitan Police website, www.met.police.uk for details. It is preferable for all parties if a lawful event can be safely facilitated, rather than the Police having to enforce legislation.
[signed]
Super intendent Gomm,
New Scotland Yard
---
Bill
Comments
Hide the following 18 comments
i fancy a bike ride with some friends down an unplanned route
01.10.2005 17:52
who fancies joining me?
how the fuck can that be illegal?????!?!?!?!?
baffled cyclist
illegal cars meeting
02.10.2005 10:19
we are not blocking traffic,we are traffic.
so NOW: ride dayly, celebrate DAYLY
rosa
e-mail:
arancione35@libero.it
October Crit Mass
02.10.2005 10:45
Velo Rutionary
Reply to the cops... please print and distribute
02.10.2005 11:33
The road
The city
This country
Metropolitan Police Service
CO11 Public Order Branch
New Scotland Yard
London, SW11 OBG
Date: 01/10/2005
Critical Mass Cycle Rides
Thank you for your letter of the 29th in which you raised your concern that perhaps as cyclists we might be breaking the law by organising public processions. However, your concern is misplaced and since our monthly community ride is not a procession or indeed a protest. Critical mass has not route and no organisiers and doesn't aim to be a demonstration.
While new draconian laws now prohibit democracy around Parliament without prior notification this really has nothing to do with the monthly critical mass bike ride which is an ongoing event and nothing new - just like Brian Haws constant vigil.
Police may like to impose conditions critical mass and arrest participants not complying to such conditions. However, nobody involved in the ride is in a position to negotiate with the police as the event is by nature, unorganised and without leader.
These cycle rides are not lawful even though no organiser has provided police the with the necessary notification and our while our participation may render us liable to wrongful arrest we are certain that we would be victorious in court and well compensated for the assults and unlawful detention resulting from such an action.
If you intend to review police policy in 'facilitating' these events please refer to the dozens of critical mass related websites. It is preferable for all parties to be aware of Human Rights Acts so that unlawful acts by the police can be avoided, rather than wasting court time on overturning bad legislation.
[not signed]
A Super Cyclist,
London
cyclists
WHY NO FUSS SINCE 1994 - WHY NOW?
02.10.2005 12:48
This is another overreaction from a force that still hasn't arrested anyone for the Stockwell murder. Why are they wasting time threatening innocent cyclists? Surely it is time to clamp down on murderers in uniform and the killers in cars.
Let's hope for a massive turn out on Oct 31st to show solidarity with a traditional monthly ride.
Banjo
nice reply to the police above, but bit of an own goal typo i think
02.10.2005 13:04
erm, shurely you mean "These cycle rides ARE lawful even though.........
otherwise nice idea and i hope the met receives plenty of copies of this letter before next month's ride just so they know not to behave like silly buggers.
i trust october's mass will be the biggest, most life-affirming, celebratory, and spontaneous mass ever.
see you all there
baffled cyclist
rejigged reply without typos
02.10.2005 13:11
Metropolitan Police Service
CO11 Public Order Branch
New Scotland Yard
London, SW11 OBG
Date: 01/10/2005
Critical Mass Cycle Rides
Thank you for your letter of the 29th in which you raised your concern that perhaps cyclists might be breaking the law by organising public processions. However, your concern is misplaced since the monthly community ride is not a procession or indeed a protest. Critical mass has no route and no organisiers and doesn't aim to be a demonstration.
While new draconian laws now prohibit democracy around Parliament without prior notification this really has nothing to do with the monthly critical mass bike ride which is an ongoing event and nothing new - just like Brian Haw's constant vigil.
Police may like to impose conditions on critical mass and arrest participants not complying to such conditions. However, nobody involved in the ride is in a position to negotiate with the police as the event is by nature, unorganised and without leader.
These cycle rides are lawful even though no organiser has provided police the with the necessary notification and while participation may render one liable to wrongful arrest i am certain that we would be victorious in court and well compensated for the assaults and unlawful detention resulting from such an action.
If you intend to review police policy in 'facilitating' these events please refer to the dozens of critical mass related websites. It is preferable for all parties to be aware of Human Rights Acts so that unlawful acts by the police can be avoided, rather than wasting court time on overturning bad legislation.
[not signed]
A Super Cyclist,
London
baffled cyclist
Actual letter?
02.10.2005 22:12
[Reposted from NYC IMC. Gideon is a lawyer representing many of NYC's Critical Mass cyclists.]
Gideon
e-mail:
gideon@oliverandoliverlaw.com
pdf flier available for next critical mass
03.10.2005 08:03
concerned cyclist
Reply to cops?
03.10.2005 09:10
Dont know if many people have seen still we ride - search for it for more info.
why do the authorities want to do this? it my view that it is because they get nowt from cyclists no licence fee, no MOT, no fuel tax, no road tax, no parking fees, bikes are not registered. the only time commerce or government benefits is when bikes are first boudht from shops - many people self service (& build) their bikes. my bike is 18 yrs old cost £55 have since had tyres brake blocks & cables - a comy seat - rechargeable batteries & panniers - I guestimate that Ive rode it 50 - 60 thousand miles for £150 TOPS? (wont go into health benefits)
I cycle to work every day and laugh inwardly at motorists who sit there for ages in queues as I roll past at my unenergetic speed. I've never been on a critical mass but will go on the october one.
Pete B
fuel protests?
03.10.2005 11:41
b33k34
Waste of public money and court time
04.10.2005 14:50
The critical mass is not a procession but even if it was it would now be excempt from their stupid law...
"Notice is also not required if it is a funeral procession or a procession commonly or customarily held. This will include the Lord Mayor's Show in the City of London, the Notting Hill Carnival and other annual local parades, including those organised by religious groups. If a protest march occurs regularly (weekly, annually) at the same time along the same route, then no notice should be required".
The monthly Critical Mass has been going for other 11 years and is not a procession or a protest. The cops will loss and I for one would be happy to go to court to prove it.
pedal power
warning means nothing
04.10.2005 16:29
if they go ahead an arrest people you can be sure that they will warn people again before they do but thst is not the point. the point is whether they have a case or not and they need to arrest some people to find out.
i suspect they will seek to arrest known people, people with placards or banners, people who have taken part in protest motivated rides such as the G8 or DSEi rides. they will hope that such people will provide them with better cases to prosecute and set a precident.
wheel thing
Bike Help
06.10.2005 09:38
I don't live in the UK but I will be in London in the end of October.
I will be at the Critical Mass, probably with some friends, but I need your help to know where I can get/rent bikes for free or at a very low cost.
Perhaps you know of some project where people repair/build bikes, maybe some people in contact with the alternative/libertarian scene in London could give some help on this subject.
Celebrate bicycle culture! Critical Mass is here to stay!
xskirix
e-mail:
xskirix@hotmail.com
Why no Fuss since 1994?
06.10.2005 09:59
Alastair
Alastair
Stop the opression, uphold freedom of speech!!
06.10.2005 11:50
No protest is allowed to be held within 1 mile of parliament and now this. How can they stop a group of people (who meet coincidentaly to go cycling) trying to reduce fuel emissions and save the rest. It is outrageous.
Keep cycling and if you feel like it, come to parliament square every sunday to protest your rights!!!
Jake
tell them to go...
22.10.2005 23:42
sime
NYC Salutes you!
29.10.2005 04:41
William