After many months of unwanted police presence, the Critical Mass last 26 of September, took place with no police presence at all.
Highlights of the evening were ruder taxi drivers than usual (with the punctual provoked “accident”) and a police attack between Victoria Street and Buckingham Palace Road.
London Critical Mass takes place every last Friday of each month. There is also a South London Critical Mass that takes place on the first Friday of each month.
In September 2005, after 11 years of relatively uneventful monthly Critical Mass rides, police issued a leaflet to participants stating:
"...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..."
There then followed court cases where this threat was challenged and a final appeal is due to be heard on 20th October 2008 at the House of Lords.
Around the beginning of 2006 cycle police started blocking the front of the ride and stopped cycle sound systems playing near Parliament. This police behaviour has continued ever since, except the last September ride and also on December rides, which always happen between the Christmas/New Year celebrations.
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