[*BCM*] Open letter to the Cycling Community

[tjvitolo at bu.edu]

Quoting sari canelake <sari at mit.edu>:

> i think someone on this thread mentioned something about how non
> violent techniques worked in the civil rights movement.  i feel
> like if we as bikers banded together to obey all the laws that we
> are supposed to, together, more people could find it in their
> hearts to be on our side.

Non violent techniques like those used in the Civil Rights Movement and 
by Gandhi and his followers were decidedly *not* law abiding.  A 
particular Critical Mass draws substantial negative press not when the 
riders are violating the law, but when they don't behave peacefully.

Each Critical Masser has his or her own reasons for riding, and those 
reasons are as varied and colorful as the Mass.  Behaving peacefully in 
the face of violence requires tremendous courage, and I hope all 
Critical Massers have that courage and discipline during the ride and 
during all other parts of their lives.