[Closed] Police Kettling Cyclists outside Olympic Opening

Not fat enough for someone on here

Aye helpful innit Bruce [ i always do typos it was nothing personal]

My only point is that it is counter productive direct action which serves only to make those whose mind they[we] are trying to change think they [we/cyclists]are lawless asshats.

Fair enough. My point was that trying to say they aren't cyclists is counter productive. There are plenty of people who ride BSOs in their jeans who think that CM are asshats as well. Trying to say that all CMers are exactly the same is wrong IMO.

Actually, is calling someone a bland middle class middle aged Audi driving IT worker an insult? Maybe the bland bit but I'd imagine the rest is a pretty good description of the STW daytime demographic.

Well, you've read my posts on this subject.

So you must know my demographic by now surely ?

Where do I fit in to your presumptions about people based on what they type.

I just assume that everyone who spends all day posting on here is like me and has a fairly boring easy highly paid job.

SSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH NG!!!! We're the ones being accused of making sweeping assumptions about certain groups. I hate to tell him but i don't fit any of that demographic either. Still.....

[img] [/img]

Binners,
I picture you as a red braces wearing, wannabe yuppie, straight out of the eighties 😀
.
.
Cant be bothered to find a picture.

Damn! Bang to rights!!! Me and Flashy this morning....

[img] [/img]

😀

Were you ever that thin...I accept you once had hair 😉

Self on the left of picture, naturally.

I was thinking a bit more like tim nice but dim tbh 😈

Are there any on here who will declare their occupation or lack of ??

I just assume that everyone who spends all day posting on here is like me and has a fairly boring easy highly paid job.

Well, that's not the first thing you have been wrong about I'm sure.

Are there any on here who will declare their occupation or lack of ??

Why wouldn't they, it's not a big secret is it ?

I run my own business and I'm a Car Valeter.

(does that effect my opinion of CM ? Can't see why it would)

Are there any on here who will declare their occupation or lack of ??

I colour things in for a living. If I concentrate really really really really hard*, i can more often than not keep it between the lines. I do leave the tops off quite often though 🙁

* you can tell when I'm doing this - i involuntarily stick my tongue out sideways

[i]Are there any on here who will declare their occupation or lack of ??[/i]

What do you do, love?

rudebwoy - Member

Are there any on here who will declare their occupation or lack of ??

You've got some front!

Who are you? Previously banned or sock-puppet? Your name is deliberately provocative and suggestive of a previous forumite - one who I liked as it happens.

I see no Email address in your profile or posts other than this and a few other threads, having only joined a few days ago.

How did you get to know about this site?

so 1 out of 4 is prepared to say, fair play to you, a self employed car valeter, you say that would have no bearing on your opinion-- you serious-- oh me i'm a joiner- between jobs at the mo

[i]oh me i'm a joiner- between jobs at the mo[/i]

Chinny
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Reck-on.

I'm pretty sure you've been here before, a number of times.

you say that would have no bearing on your opinion-- you serious

Explain to me why it would then please ?

(I would guess you are making other assumptions about me based on what I do for a
Living ?)

Do I not count? I've never been so insulted in all my life?!!!

*flounces*

you think my name is provacative, you need to expand your wiki search -- its purely music based, what is one supposed to do , wait meekly for a period and then start posting innocuous piffle-- do explain the etiquette on here

Came across this site via a blog, then read all that shite about CM, mikeconnor was trying to reason, as was yossarian, Brucewee attempted but all fall on deaf ears-- but you are paranoid if you think i have been any where near here before--- scary there are more like me around whoo

Tumbleweed.................................gone awful quite ....

Im utterly amazed at the opinions on this thread based on one short video and what people on cm rides look like.

I was one of the 182 arrested and I wouldn't wish what happened to me on anyone else.

I wasn't on the cm ride. Im a local resident watching the opening ceremony having gone out on my bike and was watching 50m from where a group was kettled and was forced into the group by the police then arrested.

That evening I talked to more than a dozen people whom were arrested and none of them matched any of the stereotypes that are mentioned in this thread. A mix of nationalities, occupations and ages. I would say from the small sample I met, they mostly cycled as a form of transport.

All cyclist are human beings and some human beings cycle. However on friday night I and many others were not treated as human beings, it was 11 hrs from being arrested to actually being charged in disgusting, stressful and tiring conditions.

When you hear or read the stories from the 182 people, I suggest you read or listen with an open mind and leave your prejudices behind.

mikeconnor was trying to reason

if he'd asked why we had those negative opinions, or took those opinions back to his friends saying "this is what one group of cyclists think of us", then it might have got somewhere.

to change my opinion... don't argue or fight back. that just makes me stand my ground. do something that will put CM in a more positive light, then I may think "oh - actually I might be a bit less negative".

I suggest you read or listen with an open mind and leave your prejudices behind.

I went on one in Brum a few years back, and I'd say it was 75% asshats deliberately trying to wind up drivers and force a confrontation. Granted there probably were barely 20 people there though!

Anyway, totally counter-productive and undermining what thousands of people do everyday by riding their bikes without turning it into a ridiculous us vs them showdown. Is that prejudice?

I appreciate that didn't represent all CMs, but I can't help but recall my own experience whenever stories like this come up.

And all this "You can't stop us going down here!" stuff reminds me of dog walkers in the park whining that they have a right to walk there when there's an event on and some of it's barriered off. Get over it and stop comparing it to a fascist state.

singletrackhor yours is a far more interesting story than the critical mass one. What were you arrested for and what were you finally charged with?

only 3 were charged (assault, possession of weapon, and something else)

the rest either released, or released on bail to report back to the police station in September.

Those released on bail are probably so the police can compare photos of the arrested 183 with video of the CM attendees. Those present at a point in the procession where they were informed of the restriction may yet be charged.

(edit: is my understanding)

singletrackhor....get over yourself, although being arrested is never pleasant (i was arrested as a much younger man) the conditions in UK custody suites is hardly Gulag type conditions....i work in many custody suites and the welfare checks (30 or 60 mins usually, often constant observation if somebody is genuinely vulnerable) are more than adequate to make even the most nervous of people feel comfortable....in 7 years i've only ever twice had to administer Diazepem for genuine anxiety in the cells, hot food is available on your arrival (or at set mealtimes) and hot and cold drinks flow as frequently as the detainee requests them...the cells have a bunk and as many blankets are usually available as the detainee can use. Crappy clothing and plimsole type shoes can also be supplied if clothing is soiled or seized.

A mistake was made in your particular case....perhaps rather than get angry with the Police you might want to direct your ire at the idiots from CM who have portrayed such a poor image of cyclists in general that you were mistakenly identified as one of them for being on a bike...i would think this is a very clear example of the damage CM are doing to the ordinary cyclist, wouldnt you?

There also seems to be some confusion on here regarding what offenses the CM people were charged with, its important to note that you can be arrested on the suspicion of an offense and released later without charge.

Criticise the victim, nice one 🙄

Was he the victim of a crime then?

@ mr salmon, that proves it then. I hope your not on the jury if it goes to court.

@ crankboy, same as the others, arrested and bailed until late Sept. No mtb until then because of the bail conditions 🙁

@ andy, only one charged. the other 2 have been released on bail like the rest

@ deviant, I wish it was as nice as you picture. Unfortunately it was over 11 hours between being arrested and entering custody. Food, water and toilet breaks had to be begged for.

I didnt meet anyone from the cm ride like that therefore I cant get angry at them.

Yes, arrested on suspision but no evidence or proof as there wasnt/isnt any. Ive never ridden a cm ride and wasnt aware until 20 mins after arrest it was a cm ride passing by that i got caught up in.

singletrackhor - do you think you would have been detained if the CM folk hadn't been on your route and causing trouble?

singletrackhor....get over yourself, although being arrested is never pleasant (i was arrested as a much younger man) the conditions in UK custody suites is hardly Gulag type conditions....i work in many custody suites and the welfare checks (30 or 60 mins usually, often constant observation if somebody is genuinely vulnerable) are more than adequate to make even the most nervous of people feel comfortable....in 7 years i've only ever twice had to administer Diazepem for genuine anxiety in the cells, hot food is available on your arrival (or at set mealtimes) and hot and cold drinks flow as frequently as the detainee requests them...the cells have a bunk and as many blankets are usually available as the detainee can use. Crappy clothing and plimsole type shoes can also be supplied if clothing is soiled or seized.

You know if i was wrongly arrested for no reason [ and not even participating in the event] and having done nothing wrong why on earth would the pleasantness of the facilities used to infringe my civil liberties make me happy or content?

the issue is the wrongful arrest not how pleasant it was once arrested.

Rudebwoy there is a thread on here where a large number of us declared our jobs and earnings...i dont see what bearing it has on this issue tbh.

I dont think mike was trying to reason , to be fair I would not have liked to try in his place tbh

do you think you would have been detained if the CM folk hadn't been on your route and causing trouble?

Hmmm.

So some other people who were nothing to do with you were behaving in a way which resulted in them being arrested, and you got caught up in it, but you don't feel that this is a problem?

If I'd been arrested because I had a bald head near to an EDL march I'd be somewhat put out. You seem to have been arrested because you had a bicycle next to a CM (not an organised protest at all, your Honour) 'celebration of cycling'...

@ mr salmon, that proves it then. I hope your not on the jury if it goes to court.

My point was that people aren't just pulling their negative opinions of CM out of their backsides- I know it's easier to just dismiss people who are critical of it as prejudiced though.

As I said, I appreciate that one group isn't representative.

[i]I suspect a more intelligence based Policing may have helped[/i]

I suspect 'celebrating cycling' in a slightly less knobbish way would have helped even more.

deviant.
congratulations, the worst thing i've read on stw.
well done on your compassion for a fellow [innocent] cyclist.
i too have been arrested.
food. no
hot drinks. no
cold drinks. no
blankets. no
told to shut the **** up. yes
singletrackwhor, that must have been a pretty shit friday night

[i]congratulations, the worst thing i've read on stw.[/i]

You must read really slowly.

nah, wasn't anywhere near as bad as taking the piss out of a bloke with aspergers tbh

he has a point ...wrongful arrest and they debate how nice the cells are like you would GAS under the circumstances.

IME the reality of being in those situations is the Police behave like individuals [ as you would expect] and some are great and some are awful - they have have as many officers up for trouble as they do protesters - I am sure the plod can confirm certain officers always volunteer for this sort of duty.

I was once asking one how to get out/home to escape an enveloping riot [ pre kettling] nice chat very helpful office when another just attacked me- pushing and shoving as we were chatting. The original copper intervened on my behalf and escorted me out. I would not have cared how nice the cells were if i was trying to leave and got arrested tbh. I was lawfully protesting and once it got ugly I did not want to be there.....it must be so much worse now you cannot leave

Singletrackhor you can challenge the bail conditions "Conditions imposed by an officer may be varied by the magistrates court on application by the suspect (section 47(1E) PACE). The magistrates can confirm the same conditions, impose different conditions, or direct that bail shall be unconditional. It continues to be police bail. See Criminal Procedure Rules, Part 19, bail in the magistrates' court and the Crown Court for further information." You should also get legal advise re false imprisonment .

Deviant those arrested were shipped around stations some held on a bus not in cells and the temporary custody suite was a converted garage not a modern purpose built suite . Not sure where you work but the picture you paint of custody is alien to my west Yorkshire experience.

See if the [s]protestors[/s] celebrants would just make themselves easily identifiable, perhaps by the adoption of some type of uniform or badge, innocent passers-by wouldn't get themselves wrongfully detained. Of course, that would need some organisation and a sense of responsibility.

Junkyard, all very well, but somewhat removed from the point of the thread. If our celebratory cyclists had decided not to stick it to the man on Olympic opening night, when all the police would be on high alert for any kind of high jinks or other tomfoolery, there would have been no problem.

Sth appears to be 'collateral damage', the blame for which lies at the doors of those fun loving CMers.

See if the protestors celebrants would just make themselves easily identifiable, perhaps by the adoption of some type of uniform or badge, innocent passers-by wouldn't get themselves wrongfully detained. Of course, that would need some organisation and a sense of responsibility.

Perhaps a star they could stitch to their lapel or something.

@druidh, no chance. The first two waves of officers kettling the crowd passed by me, an officer from the third row told me id be arrested if i didnt retreat and join the group being kettled.

@mrsalmon, i didnt meet anyone like the people that are being mentioned in this thread. How can i form an opinion on someone ive never met or on what poeple look like or other peoples perceptions.

@crikey, i didnt see anyone doing anything wrong. I was kettled with the people from the backend of the ride.

@deviant, custody was palacial when I finally got there. 4hrs on a bus (stood for half that), 2 plus hours in a freezing police car park and 4 hours on a stone cold floor in a police garage all before custody.

if by "stick it to the man" you mean ride a push bike through stratford, the police were being a bit ott then really.

I think we both know what I mean, no need to be obtuse.

See if the [s]protestors[/s] celebrants would just make themselves easily identifiable, perhaps by the adoption of some type of uniform

up to a point crikey....

It is up to the police to make sure innocents aren't roped in.

went to loads of protests when i was younger.
never wore a hoodie. did have to have a bandage on my head after 1 though 🙂

[i]It is up to the police to make sure innocents aren't roped in.[/i]

I agree, but one would perhaps think that CM, disorganised celebration that it is portrayed as, also have a certain duty to ensure that they don't behave in such a way that gets other people roped in.

Or just behave themselves.

Crikey I would not go shopping if I were you , you may find yourself collateral damage when the police decide to catch a shoplifters by rounding up every one in the store.

Sth appears to be 'collateral damage', the blame for which lies at the doors of those fun loving CMers.

You mean the Police arrested someone without any evidence [ due cause] who was not even participating in the event.
If the police mess it up the Police mess it up. they are responsible for their actions and CM for theirs
I can see your broader point but the Police cannot do whatever the hell they want in the "theatre" and just blame CM for it.

@ useless hippy. Yes pretty bad but the bail conditions mean I cant mtb, travel around or attend the games (which is just down the road) Id be breaking my bail to reclaim my bike from the 'pound'

@ crankboy thanks for that ill look into that tomorrow.

@ crikey, I dont know what happened to invoke the police response so why should I blame people ive not met or seen do anything wrong?

You are not suggesting that CM are without blame though?

crankboy, I don't go shopping with my wife, what makes you think you'd get a look in?

Generally at protests that uniform is called a hoodie. And the hypocrit cowards try to get as much iphone footage of police numbers taped up or missing, but don't have the balls to stand up and show their own face.

The police have often used "fifth columnists" as well to paint protesters in a bad light so the public is more accepting of the methods used against them.

jy
recent court cases have kind off proved the police can do whatever the hell they want in the theatre.

we all know the state support the state but i assume we were discussing morality rather than the state.

You are not suggesting that CM are without blame though?

@ crikey. why do you want me to condemn cm, ive no experience of it or the rides. The 20 or so cm riders I spent the night with were far from the sterotypes being mentioned here and i have no proof any of them were to blame and only 1 person has been charged.

or the recent court cases proved that what the police did, did not contravene any law, or the legal technicality under dispute was judged in favour of the police.

Lordy!

I'm not supporting the Police. The Met in particular seem to have blotted their copybook on a number of occasions, particularly with regard to public order style situations. I've also been involved with a situation a number of years ago with the TAG flexing their not inconsiderable muscle and was glad to escape unscathed.

The issue for me as a cyclist is that a group of people who use cycling as an excuse to act in a way which portrays cycling and cyclists in a very poor light; as evidenced by comments from mikeconnor earlier in the thread, have deliberately set out to cause a problem on the opening night of the Olympics.

I'm not supporting the bloody Olympics either, I'm fully aware of the corporate whoring which has occured in the name of sport.

So, a group of people have used cycling as an excuse to act in a deliberately provocative way, as they seem to do on a fairly regular basis, and have been prevented in a fairly robust way from causing anymore trouble. As part of the prevention, some people who have nothing to do with the protest/celebration of cycling have been caught up in it.

The problem lies with CM.

They claim to be bettering conditions for all cyclists, they claim that they are the ones out there in the arena, making a better world for us all, but they patently aren't; people who cycle for fun, for transport, for sport don't seem to welcome their activities but instead of taking that on board, instead of re-thinking what they are doing, they come on here and argue the toss.

My opinion hasn't changed; I've done more for the acceptance and profile of cycling by just riding my bike in a sensible and adult way for the last 25 years than any amount of silliness by CM.

The problem lies with CM.

They claim to be bettering conditions for all cyclists, they claim that they are the ones out there in the arena, making a better world for us all, but they patently aren't; people who cycle for fun, for transport, for sport don't seem to welcome their activities but instead of taking that on board, instead of re-thinking what they are doing, they come on here and argue the toss.

My opinion hasn't changed; I've done more for the acceptance and profile of cycling by just riding my bike in a sensible and adult way for the last 25 years than any amount of silliness by CM.

[/Thread]

some people who have nothing to do with the protest/celebration of cycling have been caught up in it.

The problem lies with CM.

[i]you are right there the Police were literally powerless and bullied into arresting innocent folk by C M ...the bastards [/i]

We really need a belm emoticon.

[BIG FAT IRONY]...cos that's just what I said...[/BIG FAT IRONY]

Rudebwoy, Im still waiting for you to answer this from two pages back....

[b]RE: My Job[/b]
[quote=rudebwoy]you say that would have no bearing on your opinion-- you serious

[quote=nealglover]Explain to me why it would then please ?

(I would guess you are making other assumptions about me based on what I do for a living ?

So singletrack comes on and gives a very honest first hand account of his experiences, as it conflicts with some peoples prejudices, they don't re think just keep banging on and on that they must right---- when the dust settles and all charges are withdrawn, it will just be a number of peoples experiences of an interaction with londons' finest....

This pathological attempt to portray CM as the evil force denigrating cyclists is as absurd as it is wrong........

Rudebwoy, an unemployed carpenter from Nazareth... 🙄

nealglover-- that you clean cars for a living might cloud your judgement regarding a group who are not likely to have much to do with said vehicles, they are big on public transport and seek to curb private vehicle use in congested areas-- so it is possible that a conflict of interest might arise ?

Er. Right.

I can't help noticing that for all the alleged stereotyping of CM participants I can't see any that refer to class or age.. Appearance maybe, but that is about people's sense of fashion being indicative of attitudes. How did this become related to age/class?

Rudebwoy, perhaps you could tell us what positive things CM has achieved?

Ask the man on the Clapham Omnibus and he'll say something along the lines of, "Oh, those stupid cyclists..." and then perhaps more.

CM is NOT seen as a positive force for cycling, regardless of your opinions. Yes, many people may just enjoy themselves on a [s]protest[/s] celebratory ride now and again, but the general impression that CM leaves is negative for cyclists. It is damaging for all other cyclists, a group that we all fall in to.

As others have said, just going and using my bike as transport every day does far more for the positive image of cycling than CM. Ask around your place of work, go on. Ask people what they think of CM. Ask the man on the Clapham Omnibus types what they think.

They will all, or at least almost all, say the same thing.

The two court cases, showed he was responsible, and he did get off.
He did whatever the hell he wanted.
Anyway, different arguement.

Cfh.
Really, most people haven't a clue about cm tbh.
Most people here have never heard of them, let alone non cyclists.

crikey -- you wasted on here--surely a job scripting jokes for Macintyre is waiting

nealglover-- that you clean cars for a living might cloud your judgement regarding a group who are not likely to have much to do with said vehicles, they are big on public transport and seek to curb private vehicle use in congested areas-- so it is possible that a conflict of interest might arise ?

Laughable.

Would I have had a different opinion of CM 4 years ago when I worked for Norwich Union in IT.

Or maybe another opinion of them 9 years ago when I was a Ski Instructor In Austria ?

By the way,

I work on stuff like Bentleys, Porsches, Lambo's etc.
CM are very unlikely to have any effect whatsoever on my earning potential with their "celebrations"

[i]crikey -- you wasted on here--surely a job scripting jokes for Macintyre is waiting [/i]

How's the weather in Poplar?

Good point, Useless, but I would wager that those who [i]have[/i] heard of CM would not know of them in a positive light.

If CM was really about improving cycling, it would benefit greatly from massively getting it's own house in order. Saying, "Oh, it's just people on a ride" isn't good enough. If they want to have a positive impact, they need to stamp out the asshat rentamob who have taken over, as many people's testimony proves, the ride. They need to make it about fun, about transport, about cooperation, about inclusivity - Not about confrontation and "protest".

Want to protest, then fine, go and protest. Don't try and dress it up as a "celebration". Grow a set and protest. However, please don't do claim to act on the behalf of the VAST majority of people who use bikes. We don't agree with you.

That is true uselesshippy, they are under most peoples radar, i do not go on their rides, over 110 miles to the nearest one, i do however defend their right to ride ! and protest if the right to ride is restricted-- i haven't seen one poster on here who claims to represent CM, but a few of us can see the bigger picture.....