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Indybay Feature

DC: Aggressive Police Move In on Critical Mass Ride

by gkt
a summary of critical mass action in washington dc tonight as part of a weekend against war, racism, global apartheid and capitalism
<strong>CRITICAL MASS IN DC, POLICE SHOW OF FORCE AND INTIMIDATION<br>
DC Police Officer: "We're Gonna Fuck You Up Tomorrow"</strong>
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A Critical Mass bike ride in DC took off from Union Square on Friday, September 28th at 6pm. Over a hundred people showed up to ride, as hundreds other prepared for a weekend of protests against war, racism, and capitalism. Cyclists waved red and black anarchist flags, determined to hold a peaceful demonstration.
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Police began their "subtle assault" on the crowd by forming a single-column line of motorcycle police who rode up next to the mass of cyclists, driving their motorcycles into people riding bicycles. As the motorcycle cops repeatedly drove their bikes into the crowd, officers in marked cars occasionally jumped out of their car, threatening violence and brutality. However, they could not muster the ruthlessness to attack an unarmed, peaceful group of people on bicycles.
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One officer who was wearing a jacket which hid his nametag and badge repeatedly threatened protesters with police violence over the weekend: "We're gonna really fuck you people up tomorrow." Other officers made similar threats.
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A local squatter house was operating a bicycle library, fixing up old bikes to provide for free to out-of-towners who wanted to participate in Critical Mass. Click here for a picture. The crowd was a diverse group of DC residents and those visiting from elsewhere. Local residents who watched the mass ride identified them as "anarchists," but only provided support and cheered the group on. The supposed "counter-protesters" were nowhere to be found. The only aggression was on the part of police officers.
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Tonight, at midnight EST, 9pm PST, tune into DC Radio for report-backs on tonight's Critical Mass action, and continuing news about the protests and peace marches this weekend. Click here for DC Radio.
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