18 Arrested at Portland Critical Mass

Date of Incident: Friday, November 27, 1998 (?) Received: Thursday, December 3, 1998 at 23:07:40

FULL DESCRIPTION OF WHAT HAPPENED IN YOUR OWN WORDS:

hello to all! hopefully you had a pleasant thanksgiving and had plenty
of the ol stuffing. unfortunately, my holiday was cut short a bit by
an event that occurred on friday night.

Hello to all! hopefully you had a pleasant thanksgiving and had plenty
of the ol stuffing. Unfortunately, my holiday was cut short a bit by
an event that occurred on friday night, which is the reason for this
letter.

I was attending a critical mass ride for my first time up here in
portland. Critical Mass, for those who don't know, is a loose
collection of people that gather together to ride about town. Started
six years ago in the bay area, it has spread across the world, with
rides organized in places such as Switzerland, Australia, and
Brazil. Currently the bay area rides claim numbers in the thousands
for their monthly rides. some join the rides for the statement it
makes against pollution and the gridlock that cars create (which
biking can alleviate). Others hope to bring attention for motoristst
that they are not the only vehicles on the road; for these, the rides
commemorate other bicyclists' deaths and injuries. Others feel that it
encourages people towards the activity of biking, whether it be for
commuting to work, going to the store, or simply recreation.

The bicyclists in portland met with numerous police cars, along with
mounted police and cops on bikes. a total of 18 people were arrested,
myself included.  Some were physically threatened by the police at the
moment of their arrest, while others, such as myself, were arrested as
we walked our bikes on the sidewalk. Our bikes were confisticated, and
we were then handcuffed, fingerprinted and photographed numerous
times, and held in jail for ten hours, some for even longer.  We were
charged with the misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct, as there is
a clause that says that if we as a group decide to break traffic laws
or hold up traffic with some sort of private, non-peace agenda, we are
guilty, even without proof that these laws were committed. There is
only the intent that they need.

We are presently facing court hearing dates. my court date, by the
way, was given as December 24th.

I hope to go further into details with this, but am now concerned
about my impending court date, and the time spent away from my
family. right now i'm hoping to get an e-mail campaign in support of
critical mass, and for biking in general.  When our bikes were taken,
we were told that they may be held as potential evidence.

Today, Thursday, I was informed that the bikes may now go back to our
possession. However, the hours that the office where we need to get
our bikes back is open from 10 til 4:30. Not exactly easy when you've
got an 8 to 5 job.  I further urge you to write to the addresses
below, as the holding of the bikes was a further slap to the face. One
is the address for the Mayor of Portland, the second is the Oregonian,
Portland's main newspaper, and the others are commissioners, whom I am
sure would appreciate e-mails regarding this issue.

Also, forward this on to anyone you feel would be concerned about this
issue.


mayorkatz-AT-ci.portland.or.us

letters-AT-news.oregonian.com

Jim Francesconi
jfrancesconi-AT-ci.portland.or.us
Commissioner of public utilities

Erik Sten
erik-AT-ci.portland.or.us
Commissioner of Public Works

Gretchen Kafoury
gkafoury-AT-ci.portland.or.us
Commissioner of Public Affairs

Charlie Hales
chales-AT-ci.portland.or.us
Commissioner of Public Safety





Thank you for your time,

Tony Moreno