Mark Anderson wrote:
>Is everyone else as confused as I am regarding this thread? The police >arrest a bunch of bikers that went through a red light. I guess I can't get real >outraged at that. At least not at the police. Maybe the bikers who think they have >Carte Blanche for disobeying traffic laws as long as they are part of some kind of >demonstration. > The police have considerable discretion to do what is reasonable, given the circumstances. We are not yet a society where minor traffic violations result in impoundment of your vehicle and arrest for the violation . . . unless. When I got pulled over for a defective taillight on my car six months ago and I also did not have proof of insurance with me (I later provided it), my car was not impounded nor was I arrested, tackled, booked or in any way harassed. I was treated respectfully and also told that, as long as I get the tailight fixed, I won't have to pay the fine. Now, compare that to the treatment of "outsider" folks on an organized and politically-tinged bike ride or, for that matter, to the treatment of African American or other minority drivers and then you may understand the value of discretion and its unfortunate misuse. I am upset and very concerned about what is being reported about the police arrests and Critical Mass, and I too demand to hear the city council and the mayor's office address this issue. Gregory Luce Project 504/Minneapolis (North Phillips) _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
