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LOCAL News :: Protest Activity
Police Employ Violence to Halt Critical Mass Bicycle Protest
Baltimore city police disrupt peaceful, nonviolent bicycle protest with violence
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 28, 2003
Contact: Scott Loughrey
410-462-3348 or 410-493-4773
Police Employ Violence to Halt Critical Mass Bicycle Protest
On Friday, March 28, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Baltimore city police resorted to violence to halt a Critical Mass/Anti-war protest taking place on bicycles. Four protesters were arrested. This had been un-permitted but nonviolent and peaceful protest. At no point were the bicyclists violating the rules of the road.
At 5:40 p.m., as the bicyclists waited for others to arrive at Charles and Baltimore Streets two police officers harassed the group. They repeatedly asked when the protest would begin. They also repeatedly told them that they should leave soon.
At 6:00 p.m. the group, about 17 in number, began cycling up Charles Street. The group used the entire road. Three police officers riding motorcycles began riding into the bicyclists, taunting them and yelling at them to ride in the right hand lane or be arrested. This instruction was generally obeyed by individuals but not by the group. When the group reached the Washington Monument the police ceased demanding that it use just the right lane.
The bicyclists reached Mount Royal Avenue, turned right and then headed south down St. Paul. It was largely peaceful on St. Paul. The police accompanied the bicyclists who were peacefully shouting anti-war, pro-public transportation messages to the people witnessing the event.
When the group reached Light and Baltimore Streets several police officers on motorcycles suddenly sped up and surrounded a bicyclist at the front. They knocked him off his bike and started beating him. All the police officers then starting brandishing their sticks and began yelling and pushing people. A second bicyclist tried to stop them from beating the first one and the police began beating him severely. A third bicyclist vocally objected to this violent behavior and a police officer threw his bicycle at him--and then handcuffed him. Finally a fourth lost his cool and tried to throw a cup of ice water at a police officer. He didn't come close to hitting the officer. They arrested him as well.
The four arrested protesters were taken to the Central Intake Booking Center.
Scott Loughrey
Friday, March 28, 2003
Contact: Scott Loughrey
410-462-3348 or 410-493-4773
Police Employ Violence to Halt Critical Mass Bicycle Protest
On Friday, March 28, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Baltimore city police resorted to violence to halt a Critical Mass/Anti-war protest taking place on bicycles. Four protesters were arrested. This had been un-permitted but nonviolent and peaceful protest. At no point were the bicyclists violating the rules of the road.
At 5:40 p.m., as the bicyclists waited for others to arrive at Charles and Baltimore Streets two police officers harassed the group. They repeatedly asked when the protest would begin. They also repeatedly told them that they should leave soon.
At 6:00 p.m. the group, about 17 in number, began cycling up Charles Street. The group used the entire road. Three police officers riding motorcycles began riding into the bicyclists, taunting them and yelling at them to ride in the right hand lane or be arrested. This instruction was generally obeyed by individuals but not by the group. When the group reached the Washington Monument the police ceased demanding that it use just the right lane.
The bicyclists reached Mount Royal Avenue, turned right and then headed south down St. Paul. It was largely peaceful on St. Paul. The police accompanied the bicyclists who were peacefully shouting anti-war, pro-public transportation messages to the people witnessing the event.
When the group reached Light and Baltimore Streets several police officers on motorcycles suddenly sped up and surrounded a bicyclist at the front. They knocked him off his bike and started beating him. All the police officers then starting brandishing their sticks and began yelling and pushing people. A second bicyclist tried to stop them from beating the first one and the police began beating him severely. A third bicyclist vocally objected to this violent behavior and a police officer threw his bicycle at him--and then handcuffed him. Finally a fourth lost his cool and tried to throw a cup of ice water at a police officer. He didn't come close to hitting the officer. They arrested him as well.
The four arrested protesters were taken to the Central Intake Booking Center.
Scott Loughrey
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