NYPD Backs off restrictions on assembly but still blocks cyclists
The New York Police Department has backed away from its controversial plan to issue highly restrictive rulings on public assembly, which would have classified groups of TWO or more cyclists or groups of 35+ pedestrians as requiring a permit!
The new rulings were partly an attempt to throttle the peaceful Friday night demonstrations by Critical Mass, where groups of riders would occupy multiple lanes of traffic to demonstrate the need for more and better bike lanes in traffic-clogged New York. The new rulings proposed by the NYPD, which would have to have been approved by the City Council, would have allowed the police to arrest and detain any group of riders that didn't receive prior NYPD authorization to assemble.
There was an enormous public outcry yesterday, leading the police to back off the restrictions on sidewalk assembly, which were likely driven by the raucous demonstrations outside Madison Square Garden two years ago during the Republican National Convention. NYPD Deputy Commissioner Paul Brown said that they would eliminate any reference to "sidewalk assembly".
The police still intend to try to restrict groups of cyclists however, which tramples on our Constitutional right to free assembly. If the ruling passes, expect that a legal challenge will be brought against it immediately.
Critical Mass rides have been taking place on the last Friday of every month in NY for 14 years. They are spontaneous groups of riders with the interest of riding their bikes in peace in New York City. The NYPD has a very negative view of cyclists and has been trying to disrupt the rides for years, last year going as far as trapping and arresting hundreds of riders guilty of nothing more than riding their bikes together down a street. Peaceful demonstrations like this should not be subject to harassment!
The new rulings were partly an attempt to throttle the peaceful Friday night demonstrations by Critical Mass, where groups of riders would occupy multiple lanes of traffic to demonstrate the need for more and better bike lanes in traffic-clogged New York. The new rulings proposed by the NYPD, which would have to have been approved by the City Council, would have allowed the police to arrest and detain any group of riders that didn't receive prior NYPD authorization to assemble.
There was an enormous public outcry yesterday, leading the police to back off the restrictions on sidewalk assembly, which were likely driven by the raucous demonstrations outside Madison Square Garden two years ago during the Republican National Convention. NYPD Deputy Commissioner Paul Brown said that they would eliminate any reference to "sidewalk assembly".
The police still intend to try to restrict groups of cyclists however, which tramples on our Constitutional right to free assembly. If the ruling passes, expect that a legal challenge will be brought against it immediately.
Critical Mass rides have been taking place on the last Friday of every month in NY for 14 years. They are spontaneous groups of riders with the interest of riding their bikes in peace in New York City. The NYPD has a very negative view of cyclists and has been trying to disrupt the rides for years, last year going as far as trapping and arresting hundreds of riders guilty of nothing more than riding their bikes together down a street. Peaceful demonstrations like this should not be subject to harassment!
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