CRITICAL MASS SOUND SYSTEM HARASSED IN SAN FRANCISCO

Date of Incident:
Received: October 28, 2005

Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2005 04:59:44 -0700
From: Otto Nomous 
Reply-To: sf-critical-mass@topica.com
To: sf-critical-mass@topica.com
Subject: Save the Critical Mass bike soundsystem!

Help save the SF Bay Area Critical Mass bike soundsystem by donating
to cover the costs of fighting the two remaining court cases.

Donate to the Bike Soundsystem Legal Fund at:
http://www.passionbomb.com/bike/

I'm currently facing two court cases in San Francisco for the being
ticketed while riding the bike soundsystem. Both cases share the same
charge of California Vehicle Code section 27007 (which has to do with
vehicles with amplified sound). The first ticket was received when I
was pulled over by the CHP at the May 2005 SF Critical Mass. The
second ticket was from the September 2005 SF Critical Mass ride when I
was pulled over by the SFPD. In July 2005, I was also arrested while
riding the bike soundsystem at the G8 protest in San Francisco. My
bike, soundsystem trailer and iPod were all confiscated and it took
about a month and a half to get them out (on the day of the August
2005 SF Critical Mass). The charge from the G8 protest was eventually
dismissed, but only because the arresting cop was too stupid to write
a valid ticket.

In California Vehicle Code section 27007, it states that "this section
does not apply to the sound systems of vehicles used for advertising,
or in parades, political or other special events". The California
Vehicle Code also defines "vehicles" narrowly to not include
human-powered vehicles. Some of the sections regarding traffic laws do
apply to bicycles but those sections that do apply to bicycles are
specifically listed and 27007 is not one of them.

I will be appearing in court today(10/28) for the ticket from last
month's ride. My next trial is set for November 10th, 2005 for the
first ticket from May 2005. The amount of fine for each case if I lose
will be $154.96, so I'm facing about $310 in total fines, so far. I
was able to get some donations at the end of the October ride at the
screening of the NYC CM documentary, "Still We Ride". Any amount you
can give will help. Thanks!