Is NY A Police State?

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WeAreChange.org attends a Critical Mass gathering in New York City during the summer. Critical Mass started in 1992 in San Francisco
as an organized event to promote bicycle transportation but has evolved
over the years as a loose gathering of people who enjoy biking, roller
blading and other means of alternative transportation. Throughout the
years a central location and time have been established in cities
around the world and therefore there is no need for an organizer. Since
2006 the mainstream press has attempted to define Critical Mass as a
"demonstration". They also call it "monthly political-protest rides"
despite the absence of signs or speeches.

Police
have been frustrated by the fact that there is no organization to force
permits and fees upon. To combat this the city has passed laws
requiring a Parade Permit for over 50 riders. They then just start
pulling people over and if they can't get them on bike laws, such as
required lights and helmets, they move on to intimidating them. The
weakest tend to get fined or arrested and the ones that stand up for
their rights tend to walk.
In this video
you will see several travesties of justice. A gentleman appears dressed
as a preacher and brings a cheerleader megaphone to remind the police
of the constitution. He is arrested, even though he breaks no law
including the new sound amplification laws that require a permit for
bullhorns. Pedestrians are allowed to walk freely around the area and
on sidewalks however people with cameras are not.
Police
refuse to give badge numbers. Police move camera people away from areas
where arrests are being performed. Police state that simply standing on
the sidewalk filming is "dangerous" as a reason to get them to leave.
Police video anyone filming events as a means of intimidation. Police
state that lining up police vans and scooter patrols as well as
bringing captains and other suits to the scene ahead of time is not
meant to intimidate people. Incidentally, we saw no gatherings of over
50 at any time in one place on the streets.
Perhaps
there should be a law that requires the police to obtain permission for
50 or more of them to assemble without a reason!