[*BCM*] Re: [swrannounce] undercovers uncovered by videoanalysts- links

[Eamonn Kelly]

dan,

i agree.  while i don't think it's all that pertainent to CM, i find people's choice of nonviolence to often be a poorly thought out representation of a position of priveledge.  most nonviolent activists are rarely facing an imminent threat to their life and wellbeing.  but i do think CM ought to stay nonviolent, as much as i'd like to smash in some car windows sometimes.

peac.e

eamonn

 |  On Tue, 3 Jan 2006 08:34:58 -0500
 |  Dan Zarrella <zan at stargeek.com> wrote:
 |  the hegemony of "non-violence" is bothersome.
 |  the struggle we are engaged in has been violent for a long time, and it is
 |  lucky for us that we have the priviledge of choosing non-violence.
 |  -Dan
 |  
 |  On 1/2/06, turtle <turtle at zworg.com> wrote:
 |  >
 |  > I see a number of things that the NYC Critical Mass community might want
 |  > to try, in an effort to help the situation of the antagonistic police.
 |  > They probably won't all will work, but I bet some combination would be
 |  > really useful, and many of these may have already been tried:
 |  >
 |  > - Asking the police to sit down to a public discussion about their
 |  > concerns, with CM participants, "Bicycle Safety Experts" from
 |  > Transportation Alternatives and/or LAB, and maybe some conflict
 |  > negotiation folks invited to join them.  This could be hosted by a
 |  > bicycle friendly politician or maybe a college or neutralish news
 |  > media.
 |  >
 |  > - Making the CM ride into a true anarchy ride, where there is no
 |  > seemingly organized group riding together, but rather a large number of
 |  > bicyclists riding all over a predertermined area (maybe a 10-block
 |  > radius?) seperately, each choosing his or her own start point, route,
 |  > and end point.
 |  >
 |  > - Asking the police to write out very specific directions for what they
 |  > would like bicyclists to do when riding, and then follow them to the
 |  > letter (creatively, of course).  For example, ask ride participants to
 |  > ride in single file... for 20 blocks straight.
 |  >
 |  > - Get some mild mannered but popular VIP types - movie stars,
 |  > politicians, etc. - to ride with CM and to be "spokesmodels" for
 |  > responsible and fun biking.  (Um... those undercover cops don't count!)
 |  >
 |  > - Encourage and sponsor intelligent, responsible, and fun bicycling
 |  > advocates to go to law school and become judges, DAs, politicians, and
 |  > other influential types to fix problems from the inside.  (I know at
 |  > least one very cool CM regular who went to law school, so it's not
 |  > impossible!)
 |  >
 |  > - Invest in advocacy groups that seriously know how use PR and marketing
 |  > tactics to promote bicycling as a normal, healthy, fun, safe, and
 |  > efficient transportation option to the general public.  (Many groups
 |  > promote biking as "alternative" and rebellious, but this image hurts
 |  > us, physically and socially).
 |  >
 |  > - More fun!  Less seriousness!  More goofy constumes, songs, laughing,
 |  > decorated bikes, etc.  (Perhaps used along with the non-organized-group
 |  > mass, so as to not provoke more complaints about "parading".)
 |  >
 |  > Phew!  That's a lot.  Hopefully they are at least somewhat useful
 |  > suggestions.
 |  >
 |  > -Turtle
 |  > May the forks be with you!
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