July 2010 CCM - The Chainlink2024-03-29T08:16:35Zhttps://thechainlink.org/forum/topics/july-2010-ccm?groupUrl=criticalmassdiscussion&xg_source=activity&groupId=2211490%3AGroup%3A34397&id=2211490%3ATopic%3A209860&feed=yes&xn_auth=no2 and a half hours to get the…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-08-02:2211490:Comment:2176232010-08-02T12:42:51.522ZPaul Gurnshttps://thechainlink.org/profile/PaulGurns
2 and a half hours to get there from work (normally a 45 minute trip) I got there just in time and rode up front we probably were right next to each other at some point but I didn't know who you were LOL<br />
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<cite>H3N3 said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/july-2010-ccm?groupUrl=criticalmassdiscussion&groupId=2211490%3AGroup%3A34397&id=2211490%3ATopic%3A209860&page=14#2211490Comment217017"><div>I thought maybe you were just shy :-)<br></br> Was it fun for…</div>
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2 and a half hours to get there from work (normally a 45 minute trip) I got there just in time and rode up front we probably were right next to each other at some point but I didn't know who you were LOL<br />
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<cite>H3N3 said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/july-2010-ccm?groupUrl=criticalmassdiscussion&groupId=2211490%3AGroup%3A34397&id=2211490%3ATopic%3A209860&page=14#2211490Comment217017"><div>I thought maybe you were just shy :-)<br/> Was it fun for you in any way? Sounds like a lot of stress from the trip down to what you describe above.<br/>
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<cite>Paul Gurns said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/july-2010-ccm?groupUrl=criticalmassdiscussion&page=14&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A216997&x=1#2211490Comment216907"><div>Howard, I made it their just in time to leave the plaza yesterday</div>
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</blockquote> Nope , no hitting but it got…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-08-02:2211490:Comment:2176222010-08-02T12:40:29.366ZPaul Gurnshttps://thechainlink.org/profile/PaulGurns
Nope , no hitting but it got close. Luckily I was able to diffuse things with a little humor until the end of the mass was near.<br />
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<cite>H3N3 said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/july-2010-ccm?groupUrl=criticalmassdiscussion&xg_source=msg_com_forum&id=2211490%3ATopic%3A209860&groupId=2211490%3AGroup%3A34397&page=14#2211490Comment217016"><div>On your first mass, ouch . . .<br></br> Can I assume you were not beat with the baseball bat…</div>
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Nope , no hitting but it got close. Luckily I was able to diffuse things with a little humor until the end of the mass was near.<br />
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<cite>H3N3 said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/july-2010-ccm?groupUrl=criticalmassdiscussion&xg_source=msg_com_forum&id=2211490%3ATopic%3A209860&groupId=2211490%3AGroup%3A34397&page=14#2211490Comment217016"><div>On your first mass, ouch . . .<br/> Can I assume you were not beat with the baseball bat then?<br/>
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<cite>Paul Gurns said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/july-2010-ccm?groupUrl=criticalmassdiscussion&page=14&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A216997&x=1#2211490Comment216906"><div>It's pretty sad when the police hassle us at the beach but don't do anything when I being threatened by 3 dudes in a car when I was corking an intersection. First they bump me with their car and try and push me out of their way and then the driver got a bat out of the trunk and comne at me with it. The whole time their were 2 cops 100 feet away and they just kinda pretended not to see.</div>
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</blockquote> Unfortunately, this was top d…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-08-01:2211490:Comment:2175152010-08-01T22:13:17.856ZJerryhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Jerry
Unfortunately, this was top down. The first cop on the scene, when we arrived, barking orders over his PA system, confirmed that. Somebody in command decided to ambush us with a Wolf Pack -- they were lying in wait for us. And they did what Wolf Packs always do, i.e., treat citizens with contempt, bark orders, and harass random African Americans until they find a few who are dirty and arrest them. That's SOP for for tactical squads. I guess the Vice Lords must have been on Summer vacation, so…
Unfortunately, this was top down. The first cop on the scene, when we arrived, barking orders over his PA system, confirmed that. Somebody in command decided to ambush us with a Wolf Pack -- they were lying in wait for us. And they did what Wolf Packs always do, i.e., treat citizens with contempt, bark orders, and harass random African Americans until they find a few who are dirty and arrest them. That's SOP for for tactical squads. I guess the Vice Lords must have been on Summer vacation, so CPD could afford to put a Wolf Pack on a bunch of people trying very hard to avoid trouble.<br />
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From the perspective of public safety (I don't pretend to speak for the ethos of the ride), and considering the unique social character of the Mass, this ride did everything right. I'm frankly shocked, and totally puzzled, as to why CPD decided to kick us in the teeth after such a successful ride. It's inexplicable. Spencer "Thunderball" Thayer!…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-08-01:2211490:Comment:2174692010-08-01T18:24:21.119Zh' Zerocatshttps://thechainlink.org/profile/H3N3
<cite>Spencer "Thunderball" Thayer! said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/july-2010-ccm?groupUrl=criticalmassdiscussion&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A217468&groupId=2211490%3AGroup%3A34397#2211490Comment217464"><div>Luckily from what we know no one was arrested for trying to take LSD or any other bike related offense. It seems, or rather, it is conjecture, that people were only arrested for possession. Though we, here anyway, certainly don't want to see…</div>
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<cite>Spencer "Thunderball" Thayer! said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/july-2010-ccm?groupUrl=criticalmassdiscussion&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A217468&groupId=2211490%3AGroup%3A34397#2211490Comment217464"><div>Luckily from what we know no one was arrested for trying to take LSD or any other bike related offense. It seems, or rather, it is conjecture, that people were only arrested for possession. Though we, here anyway, certainly don't want to see anyone get arrested we cannot possibly mitigate arrest when there is smoking or drinking in public.<br/> <br/>
How hard is it to put your booze in a water bottle for fucks sake. And if you want to get high in public... Make brownies! Don't create a giant puff of smoke with a distinct aroma. Jeeze.</div>
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Agreed-- masser, police thyself. Andrew Bedno said:but my hunc…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-08-01:2211490:Comment:2174682010-08-01T18:23:55.304Zh' Zerocatshttps://thechainlink.org/profile/H3N3
<cite>Andrew Bedno said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/july-2010-ccm?groupUrl=criticalmassdiscussion&x=1&id=2211490%3ATopic%3A209860&groupId=2211490%3AGroup%3A34397&page=14#2211490Comment217126"><div>but my hunch is that it's not necessarily top down, but rather could be a few power mad freaks on the beat.</div>
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I agree. Now and again the police show brief hints of some sort of centralized coordination, but most of the time I…
<cite>Andrew Bedno said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/july-2010-ccm?groupUrl=criticalmassdiscussion&x=1&id=2211490%3ATopic%3A209860&groupId=2211490%3AGroup%3A34397&page=14#2211490Comment217126"><div>but my hunch is that it's not necessarily top down, but rather could be a few power mad freaks on the beat.</div>
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I agree. Now and again the police show brief hints of some sort of centralized coordination, but most of the time I think we give them too much credit for being anything more than very minimally organized. Luckily from what we know no…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-08-01:2211490:Comment:2174642010-08-01T18:13:10.050ZSpencer "Thunderball" Thayer!https://thechainlink.org/profile/SpencerThunderballThayer
Luckily from what we know no one was arrested for trying to take LSD or any other bike related offense. It seems, or rather, it is conjecture, that people were only arrested for possession. Though we, here anyway, certainly don't want to see anyone get arrested we cannot possibly mitigate arrest when there is smoking or drinking in public.<br />
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How hard is it to put your booze in a water bottle for fucks sake. And if you want to get high in public... Make brownies! Don't create a giant puff of…
Luckily from what we know no one was arrested for trying to take LSD or any other bike related offense. It seems, or rather, it is conjecture, that people were only arrested for possession. Though we, here anyway, certainly don't want to see anyone get arrested we cannot possibly mitigate arrest when there is smoking or drinking in public.<br />
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How hard is it to put your booze in a water bottle for fucks sake. And if you want to get high in public... Make brownies! Don't create a giant puff of smoke with a distinct aroma. Jeeze. Great ride Barbra, top flight…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-08-01:2211490:Comment:2171262010-08-01T05:34:59.387ZAndrew Bednohttps://thechainlink.org/profile/AndrewBedno
Great ride Barbra, top flight in most respects. Unusually high media coverage, including <a href="http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2553696,critical-mass-bike-ride-073110g.photogallery" target="_blank">some photos on the Sun Times site</a> and a <a href="http://cbs2chicago.com/local/bikes.Critical.Mass.2.1835346.html" target="_blank">brief story and video on CBS2</a>.<br />
I posted a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqqyxWZqFw4" target="_blank">low res full mass video on YouTube</a>, given…
Great ride Barbra, top flight in most respects. Unusually high media coverage, including <a href="http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2553696,critical-mass-bike-ride-073110g.photogallery" target="_blank">some photos on the Sun Times site</a> and a <a href="http://cbs2chicago.com/local/bikes.Critical.Mass.2.1835346.html" target="_blank">brief story and video on CBS2</a>.<br />
I posted a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqqyxWZqFw4" target="_blank">low res full mass video on YouTube</a>, given only 4:02 I'd guestimate over 1600 riders.<br />
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About the cops at Montrose, I did mention personally to just a few (can't remember exactly, Barbra? Spencer?), that we northsiders had noticed BIZARRELY aggressive behavior by the Montrose park police, but only at closing time. Sorry if we didn't take this seriously enough.<br />
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An incident on July 13th with car 7599 after "Annie" movies in the park on Cricket Hill, was so abusive that we seriously discussed reporting it (and I've never seriously considered reporting a cop before), but haven't yet. I've tried to be forgiving, given the huge thankless challenge they have with emptying the soccer fields. But other then that I haven't seen much trouble (such as gangs) that they should be so freaking (and overstaffed) about, and I've biked/skated here over a decade.<br />
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As to whether they knew and lay in wait, I'd venture that it's a certainty they knew the destination. It was <a href="http://cbs2chicago.com/local/bikes.Critical.Mass.2.1835346.html" target="_blank">specifically mentioned on CBS</a>.<br />
Their behavior reached new lows this year, but my hunch is that it's not necessarily top down, but rather could be a few power mad freaks on the beat. Any definitive info on who wa…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-07-31:2211490:Comment:2170212010-07-31T23:29:25.815Zh' Zerocatshttps://thechainlink.org/profile/H3N3
Any definitive info on who was arrested, what their status is, etc.?
Any definitive info on who was arrested, what their status is, etc.? I thought maybe you were just…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-07-31:2211490:Comment:2170172010-07-31T23:27:31.508Zh' Zerocatshttps://thechainlink.org/profile/H3N3
I thought maybe you were just shy :-)<br />
Was it fun for you in any way? Sounds like a lot of stress from the trip down to what you describe above.<br />
<br />
<cite>Paul Gurns said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/july-2010-ccm?groupUrl=criticalmassdiscussion&page=14&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A216997&x=1#2211490Comment216907"><div>Howard, I made it their just in time to leave the plaza yesterday</div>
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I thought maybe you were just shy :-)<br />
Was it fun for you in any way? Sounds like a lot of stress from the trip down to what you describe above.<br />
<br />
<cite>Paul Gurns said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/july-2010-ccm?groupUrl=criticalmassdiscussion&page=14&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A216997&x=1#2211490Comment216907"><div>Howard, I made it their just in time to leave the plaza yesterday</div>
</blockquote> On your first mass, ouch . .…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-07-31:2211490:Comment:2170162010-07-31T23:26:35.260Zh' Zerocatshttps://thechainlink.org/profile/H3N3
On your first mass, ouch . . .<br />
Can I assume you were not beat with the baseball bat then?<br />
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<cite>Paul Gurns said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/july-2010-ccm?groupUrl=criticalmassdiscussion&page=14&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A216997&x=1#2211490Comment216906"><div>It's pretty sad when the police hassle us at the beach but don't do anything when I being threatened by 3 dudes in a car when I was corking an intersection. First they bump me with…</div>
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On your first mass, ouch . . .<br />
Can I assume you were not beat with the baseball bat then?<br />
<br />
<br />
<cite>Paul Gurns said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/july-2010-ccm?groupUrl=criticalmassdiscussion&page=14&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A216997&x=1#2211490Comment216906"><div>It's pretty sad when the police hassle us at the beach but don't do anything when I being threatened by 3 dudes in a car when I was corking an intersection. First they bump me with their car and try and push me out of their way and then the driver got a bat out of the trunk and comne at me with it. The whole time their were 2 cops 100 feet away and they just kinda pretended not to see.</div>
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