On TV for the wrong reasons

This piece aired on WCBS, the local CBS affiliate of New York, New York. Unfortunately I was at my parent's house in Florida when it aired so I wasn't able to see it on TV but I was able to watch it on CBS' website afterwards. You can read the transcript and watch it on their website here. I did a screengrab to capture the footage so that I could post it on my site without linking to them. I love flash on the web but it does have its limitations.

Context

This occurred during the August, 2006 Critical Mass ride. A ride that is a celebration of cycling or even demonstration; if you will. It is NOT a protest. Critical mass has never been a protest and should never be a protest. When we ride in the "mass" we are not asking for anything more than to be noticed but on that day and every day thereafter. Its to bring about awareness of cycling more than simply protesting.

When this incident happened I wasn't actually in the group though, I was well behind attempting to catch up, Unfortunately when I did catch up the police started going crazy and "arresting" people (keep reading). I decided to take action and film the NYPD's actions. My action caused me to be one of those receiving a "summons" (I was never told that I was being arrested).

As you will see in the video while I was being held LT. Albano hit me from behind, said nothing to me and walked on. Unfortunately (fortunately for me) this was all caught on film and there were witnesses on the scene. I have since filed a formal complaint against Lt. Alabano, which is still pending and other things are brewing but I can't talk about that.

Summed up

No arrests
Tickets given to Sarah and I were dismissed in court.

In short the NYPD blocked traffic, threatened to arrest cyclists, ticketed cyclists and caused havoc and none of it stood up in court!

As a result of this night I have since been involved in legal talks, more video pieces AND I created a new website.

CMTickets.com is a site wherein people who have been ticketed by the NYPD at Critical Mass ride can tell their story and make it public that the NYPD is giving out BOGUS tickets. If you have been ticketed by the NYPD at a Critical Mass ride anytime after the 2004 RNC please add your ticket and tell us your story.