London Indymedia

Another London Critical Mass police hassle.

Masser | 28.07.2007 07:14 | SOCPA | Climate Chaos | Social Struggles | London

Police routinely interfere with Critical Mass, holding up the front of the ride, targeting sound systems and sometimes ticketing riders. They also video and photograph riders at the start of every event. It is odd though that they never turn up for the December ride, which is close to the New year celebrations.

They just had to spoil it didn't they. In what would have been a fast and fluid Mass with no holdups at junctions and the police providing useful corking, they decided to shut down a sound system in Park Lane, well outside the SOCPA zone, and hold up traffic by so doing. It is as if the police are desperate to assert their authority one way or another. Maybe they have difficulty trying to justify such a large police presence and expense on routine cycle rides. Luckily the sound system bod emerged from his unpleasant police encounter unscathed and with a smile on his face.

Masser

Additions

To split the Mass?

28.07.2007 19:57


I was there- seemed to me they let the forward system go on then pulled up the rear one- knowing the back half of the Mass would stop to support him- result we reached Piccadilly Circus in 2 groups 10 minutes apart- and made let of a "Circus in the Circus" than we could have otherwise- crafty, a success from their point of view.
Oh well

Was a good Mass though- taking that horrible Aldgate one way system and reclaiming and humanising it for a while- wind in the hair and nice people abounding- Cabbies Corked up- hee hee.

seeyaz next time

Bud


Comments

Hide the following 2 comments

it did seem totally uncalled for

28.07.2007 17:28

and quite random/sudden?

i thought of socpa too, wondering if it did stretch as far as marble arch, didn't think it would though.

did anyone video them videoing this 'interview'?

peoples republic of southwark


Loud!!

29.07.2007 20:29

Was he booked for wearing a loud shirt in a built up area .... or for ....... " Looking at me in a funny manner " ?

Andy ( Manchester CM (now and then ))


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