Critical Massacre Update #1 - Repost

I got the following message from Simon Z about this months' Critical Mass ride. He's got some good stuff to say as well as some info for a few related pre-Critical Mass events. Since this is "Bike Month" I expect an even huger than usual turnout for the ride and I (as I'm sure all you do) really want this ride to be a chill, smooth, non-confrontational, and cop-free experience. Anyway, check what he has to say...

Here's the update on the CM plan. Hopefully no shit will go down at CM but it's good to be prepared... if we're missing anything, let me know. Rachel is back in town tonight so she can tell us where the new Dixie Ranch is. Also, let's plan some more, non reactionary, events after this...

PS: I've added Christopher to this list because he wants to start up / restart bike polo...
PPS: Megan wants us to Pup Our Rides

Cheers, Simon

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Wednesday, May 28th, 8pm: Bike-in Movie and Know Your (Bike) Rights @ Dixie Ranch in East Austin (location TBA)
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Movies:

History of Critical Mass ATX (10min - excerpt from Bike Like You Mean it) - advance screening here and here.
We are Traffic (History of Critical Mass (27min)
Still We Ride (37min)
Know Your Rights video (10 min - from Still we Ride DVD)

These films interspersed with fun shorts (suggestions appreciated), in case you thought we were all business, followed by:

Know You Rights, Texas Bike Law and How to beat tickets presentation (with handouts) by Alejandro and Karly (yes, i know we need to plan this part!)

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Friday, May 30th, 4.30-5pm: Legal Support and Promotion for May Critical Mass
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Megan is working on spoke cards and flyers

Rachel and Jason A. are covering printing and laminating

Chris R. is contacting lawyers for legal support for tickets and injuries

We still need folks to hand out flyers and spoke cards and legal observers

Hopefully there will be a pre-ride Know Your Rights / TX Bike Law / How to beat tickets spiel by Karly or Alejandro or both.

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So to field the obvious / cynical question first: Why do this? I'm over Critical Mass, I don't do it anymore.
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This is about education and solidarity for the bike community, by the bike community. Non-hierarchical events, like CM, are driven by those who choose to participate in them. Critical Mass in Austin has seen a resurgence in the last 6 months with about 200 riders each month, tall bikes, choppers, kids, bike stereo systems, costumes, instruments etc. It is fun again, but this has increased numbers, visibility and consequently, police presence. Last month saw 2 messy arrests* with a larger crackdown expected this month. It's time to use the skills we have to educate new critical mass rider on the history/origins of critical mass in austin and the U.S. and show them how to avoid or deal with tickets and arrest.

If you have the time off and can make it down to the UT West Mall at 5pm on the 30th, why not show up?

* I believe it was one arrest (Michael) and one ticket (Jamal), but please correct me if there was a second arrest.