Cylcists Falsely Detained

On Friday evening, 5 to 6 cyclists were detained at Market & Grove at appoximately 8:15pm. This small group, which was waiting legally at a red light on Market, was suddenly surrounded by about 2 angry dozen SFPD cops; some motorcycle cops were barreling into several cyclists. Cyclists were pulled off their bikes and cuffed, one woman cuffed so tightly that her hands began tingling immediately. When asked for the charge, cyclsists were told that they were being detained for no headlights. One cyclist actually did have all required lights, and was told she was being held for "obstucting a police investigation." Police then came back and said that cyclists were being held for impeding the flow of traffic, and that police helicopter had videotape of them. Laughable, of course.

One cop was particularly abusive, using foul language, and lecturing all. A large group of bystanders were on the sidewalk, stating that the cyclists had done nothing wrong; present were two legal observers from National Lawyers Guild, taking names and asking if any were injured by the police.

After about 30 minutes, police released cyclists and issued "no headlight" citations to those without. This was an illegal detention, as having no headlight is a minor infraction, and not one which warrants cuffing and detention. Cyclists were singled out because they were protesting the war, and exercising their First Amendment rights. The SFPD obviously wanted to put an end to this exercise.

Our Streets!

BIKES NOT BOMBS!

Meet 5pm every business day at Justin Herman Plaza for Critical Mass.