Yet again we find ourselves with yet another judge telling the city to lay off Critical Mass riders. You have to wonder, however, if the message is even getting through. The mere fact that this is the third case reinforcing the same right, that of cyclists to congregate and ride together, is proof positive that the city is probably not going to go down without a fight, and if previous actions by the NYPD are any indication, they probably won’t be following the court order either.
Calling the city’s legal strategy against the ride “highly irregular” and “as unnecessary as it is inappropriate,” Justice Michael D. Stallman of State Supreme Court in Manhattan refused to bar an environmental group and four people from taking part in it, from gathering at Union Square Park beforehand, or from announcing the rides on the group’s Web site, as the city had requested.
The city had also asked the judge to issue an unusual civil declaration, without a trial, that the environmental group, Time’s Up, and the four individuals had “criminal culpability” for violating laws and regulations that carried penalties of fines and imprisonment. The judge also rejected that request.
Justice Stallman concluded his 24-page decision by urging city officials and the ride participants to work out their differences.
Should be interesting to see how the NYPD handles being told, yet again, to stop harassing riders. As I said, I don’t think they’re going to take it laying down.
Source: NY Times
[tags]critical mass, cycling, nypd, rights, nyc[/tags]