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Critical Mass Update

The Critical 23 (23 Critical Mass bicycle riders given exclusion orders from Pioneer Square in October, 1994--see PPR #5) received information from police constituting every piece of paper generated by the Bureau with references to Critical Mass on them. Among the papers are memos referring to the bicycle rights demonstrations as "Anarchist bike rallies," and sign up sheets for officers who really wanted overtime or straight time for going on the ride. Sgt. B.L. Mulvihill, in an October 1994 memo, recommended to Central Precinct Commander Mike Garvey that:

"because this group continues to demonstrate or rally each month, and because no approach we have made alleviates the problems associated with each demonstration, it is time to pick up our pressure and issue citations for every violation that occurs."

The memo goes on to state that "The informant from CID [Criminal Intelligence Division} today stated that they had in fact planned to be disruptive if we weren't on top of them" She recommended at least 10 bike officers for the next rally.

As for the Critical 23's lawsuit, no court date has yet been set, and there has been no settlement made. PPR will keep you informed.

On the December ride, Officer Joe Schilling pulled over a Critical Mass rider (CMer) riding by the double yellow line saying he was riding over the wrong side. He said he was going to cuff the rider, claiming it was for "my own and his protection" while checking for ID. The rider started to get back on his bike, and Schilling grabbed him by the head and took him to the ground.

Prior to the March Ride, the word was that no officers would be present at the ride. However, four officers did come along (as well as KATU-TV Ch. 2) though no tickets were issued at one of the largest rides ever. Tom, a CMer, pressed the officers for their names and BPST numbers. Only one bicycle officer refused to identify himself, saying he would tell Tom if he needed to know. When Tom reminded the officer of the General Order (612.50) requiring police to identify themselves on request, the bike cop said "you obviously don't know the general order.... Take a hike" (You may have seen this exchange on Flying Focus Video's program, "Being Critical of Mass Media: Critical Mass II")

On the next ride (in April) Tom was pulled over for allegedly impeding traffic. (Police claim he was unlawfully riding two abreast... though the charge has now been changed to "Changing lanes without signaling"). The officer handcuffed him "for my protection and for yours' ’Äî- and guess who it was? Officer Schilling. So this is the second incident POPSG has documented of a CMer who was handcuffed by the same officer while receiving a traffic citation and not for the purpose of being taken into custody or being arrested. (if this has happened to you, please call COPWATCH at 321-5120).

In reference to Tom asking for the police names and BPST numbers (which he did again that month), one officer made a comment along the lines of, "We have to follow our rules, if you're going to impede traffic, you'll have to pay the penalty."

During the May ride, Officer Hegrenes gave a ticket to someone for crossing SE 20th & Ankeny at a bike crossing only island (where cars are forced to turn right). The citation, which was for failing to obey a traffic control device, was given three miles later, at Holladay Park. Hegrenes returned some time later (having discovered his mistake) and said he would void the ticket. But the CMer kept the ticket as evidence of police intimidation.

Critical Massers continue negotiations with police in Portland to continue their peaceful rides without being harassed. Meanwhile, reports from Madison, Wisconsin and San Francisco tell us that in those cities, the police escort rather than harass the riders.

Second Trimester, 1995
Also in PPR #6

Portland Copwatch
PO Box 42456
Portland, OR 97242
(503) 236-3065/ Incident Report Line (503) 321-5120
e-mail: copwatch@portlandcopwatch.org

Portland Copwatch is a grassroots, volunteer organization promoting police accountability through citizen action.

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