Pathetic SFPD Intimidation Tactics and Behavior at Critical Mass

I will try to make this short and sweet. Please note that I am not the kind of guy who accuses the police of wrongdoing just for the fun of it. I realize that they have a tough job to do, but incidents like the one last night at Critical Mass in San Francisco make it very difficult to respect them or condone their actions.

As hundreds of us were riding down what was essentially carless Waller Street last night, numerous people were biking on the "wrong side of the road." Waller is a very narrow street, and as is always the case during a large Critical Mass, it is nearly impossible to ride in perfect order on the right side of the street. So, as has been the case at every Critical Mass I have been to, cyclists were scattered and no one has ever seemed to have much of a problem with it. Last night, though, it seems that the SFPD decided to "crack down" on this infraction, if it can even be defined as such. (The SFPD tends to set precedents as to what is acceptable at Critical Mass over the months, and then selectively change their tolerance level on a whim).

So, with cyclists scattered about and at least a hundred or so on the "wrong side" of the road, a motorcycle cop decided to ride alongside a cyclist asking him to move to the correct side of the street. With his siren blaring, it was difficult to even hear his directive, but once the cyclist did, he attempted to follow the officer's order. But, as was the case all too often during anti-war actions, as the cyclist attempted to move over, the officer moved his motorcycle closer to him effectively blocking him from moving across the street. After 10-15 seconds of this, another motorcycle cop does the same thing on the other side of this cyclist and the guy is trapped between two cops on motorcycles. He, me, and throngs of cyclists are pointing out the guy is trying to move, but there is no possible way that he can. This was ignored. Instead, 2-3 MORE motorcycle cops surround this ONE GUY as the officer attempts to cite him. He refused to give information. At this point, the officer was grabbing the cyclist by the arm and I believe they proceeded to arrest him! In the meantime, "back-up" was called and at least TEN, maybe more like 15-20 additional cop cars, vans, and motorcycles come screaming into the Haight in another SFPD trademark: overreponse to a petty situation only made worse by the SFPD itself (other examples anti-war movements and the fight at a Hunter's Point high school last year).

So, as the guy is being closed in on and intimidated by the police, a woman on a bicycle steps in and point out their wrongdoing. Her front tire finds a police motorcycle pressing up against it. She is ignored, cited, and I am unsure if she was arrested or merely threatened. She was a very rational woman (I have seen her at many masses), and I think she filed a report. As all of this is going on, about 6-7 motorcycle cops surrounding two freaking people and the rest of us looking on in a relatively calm disgust, another motorcycle cop comes barrelling through -- apparently offering help to his officers (they sure had their hands full) -- as he is pushing through cyclists on his motorcycle, he nearly running them over and yelling "get out of my way, get the fuck out of my way."

Now, of course, this is not Fajita-Gate or a "serious" case of police brutality or misconduct, BUT it does not make it right nor acceptable. In light of recent scandals, one would think that the SFPD would refrain from using intimidation, excessive force, and overresponse in situations where it absolutely not needed. They acted like a bunch of arrogrant and angry men last night. The behavior they exhibited only gives cops a bad name and does not warrant them the privilege of the public's respect. Also, the SFPD does not really help in facilitating CM, they only make things worse.

Last night, I was mad about this; almost furious. Today, I am calm, but still angry. I really do not think we should let this go.

I am realistic enough to know that there may not be much we can do, but who knows? If anyone has pictures of this event or was there (or knows someone who was), email me. If you were arrested or agree that the SFPD was out of line, email me. You can contact me via my Website or directly at roccojpendola [at] yahoo.com . I just find this sort of activity annoying, and think we should so something about it.

If nothing else, let's make June's Critical Mass bigger than ever. As was so nicely stated by "The Committee for Full Enjoyment" in another post, Critical Mass is about more than bikes vs. cars, it is about "changing life." The sooner people, and the police, realize that we are not a bunch of hoodlums wreaking havoc, but actually a group of informed and educated indviduals collectiving fighting for necessary social change, the better off we will ALL be.

Thanks - shoot me an email. And show up in force at June's CM!

Rocco Pendola