Mass arrests 'Critical Mass' cycle ride during Olympics opening
- Thread starter lordloveaduck
- Start date
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Married to Night Train
- Location
- Salford, UK
I demand the right to be pepper sprayed!
Well, disabled people are just as likely to be arses as able bodied...
True enough. One could certainly see that they might have more justification for being arses too. But that's another story.
Actually, in an arse-about-face sort of a way, I think I see what sabian92 was trying to say.
Andrew_Culture
Internet Marketing bod
- Location
- The People's Republic Of Suffolk.
Yes!
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Sent from settee #2 - steel & wooden frame, deep padded seat, low profile DFS 2000 model.
Andrew_Culture
Internet Marketing bod
- Location
- The People's Republic Of Suffolk.
My point was that almost by definition there is not set type of anarchist. The world has enough people who focus on negativity (I'm not referring to you btw), Bill and Ted had it right with their mantra of 'be excellent to each other'.
To quote NoFx (not always wise) please form your opinion of me by what I do, not what I am.
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Sent from settee #2 - steel & wooden frame, deep padded seat, low profile DFS 2000 model.
ever been on one?
there was a point to be made and they made it simply enough. The Zil lanes aren't popular and aren't wanted - even by the Prime Minister. As demonstrations go it was a mild-mannered affair, but, sadly, Olympic Hysteria got the better of the police. Cue loads of arrests when it would have been better to simply wait it out.
I'm really sad I didn't go. 500 is a decent turnout by CM standards, and, while it's usually a bit disjointed, it's nice to know that they're capable of some joined up thinking.
I'm really sad I didn't go. 500 is a decent turnout by CM standards, and, while it's usually a bit disjointed, it's nice to know that they're capable of some joined up thinking.
MrJamie
Oaf on a Bike
Nope and to be fair I've only heard of them when they've attracted negative media coverage, but im entirely open to the idea that the vast majority of the events might be positive for those involved. Im not sure how it'll promote cycling though.
CM was promoting cycling when you were in short trousers
It's irritating to read a lot of recycled Daily Wail nonsense from people who've absolutely no clue. CM makes the point that if there are enough of us we can go about the city in safety. Fifteen years ago people would say 'we like cyclists, but not all together'. Fifteen years on the point made by CM is proved right by thousands of cyclists going down CS7 every morning and evening.
Taking the protest to Stratford was a great idea. The Zil lanes are there for the very Olympic bigwigs who couldn't be arsed to turn up with their free tickets. That's a disgrace, and it's good to see cyclists making the point.
It's irritating to read a lot of recycled Daily Wail nonsense from people who've absolutely no clue. CM makes the point that if there are enough of us we can go about the city in safety. Fifteen years ago people would say 'we like cyclists, but not all together'. Fifteen years on the point made by CM is proved right by thousands of cyclists going down CS7 every morning and evening.
Taking the protest to Stratford was a great idea. The Zil lanes are there for the very Olympic bigwigs who couldn't be arsed to turn up with their free tickets. That's a disgrace, and it's good to see cyclists making the point.
Whilst I agree with that 100%, I would ask whether CM needed to re-make that point last night?
I know it's a bit of a thing for some people, the whole "you can do this/that/the other because they're gay/disabled/black/white etc" but it really irritates me. I understand the want for disabled people to have equality - I have a learning disability myself - but you can't pick the good bits but then claim it's discrimination when somebody does something you don't agree with. I don't go around saying I'm immune from being arrested or pepper sprayed because i'm dyspraxic.
I'm not saying he deserved to be peppersprayed but if he did I would not be sympathetic based on the fact he's disabled.
I think they were making a point about public space
Don't get me wrong. CMers aren't intellectuals. They simply have a visceral objection to the way space, particularly public space, is ordered. Riding en masse around the centre of London turns the street from something on the way from A to B in to theatre. People, tourists, commuters, revellers stop and applaud (the same thing happens to the night rides I organise).
The Olympics is about the privatisation of public space, whether it be a bit of the footpath in Park Lane, the Zil lanes or the Olympic Park itself. Put simply you and I can go to less places in London than in past times. That shouldn't go unremarked.
CopperCyclist
Veteran
As a proud policeman, I kinda resent being characterised as a 'heavy handed thug'. Police are the people who make sure, at the cost of many of their lives, that people can go about their day to day business with the best possible protection from lawlessness. A little respect, based on the history of British policing and what it has done for us all, might be in order. I'm sure the officers that policed the riots were derived as 'scum' too.
Not that I'm a fan of 'public order policing'. I think it's a lose lose situation that can only ever harm the view of policing. But it's a lot more "damned if you do and damned if you don't" than evil.
[Ian - no points directed at you! I just thought your eloquent post leant itself somewhat to my paraphrase!]
