February Legal Observer Report submitted by Sara S:

February Legal Observer Report:

Eight World Carfree Network legal observers were on duty on Feb. 24th
2006. Our team included six Americans, one German and a citizen of
Israel. Five observed on foot. Three of us observed from bicycles.

This was the first ride following the February 15th decision by a NY
state judge denying the City's request for an injunction against the
environmental group Time's Up! The injunction would have made it
illegal for Critical Mass riders to gather at Union Square and to ride
together without applying for a permit. The judge also said that the
City can't make it illegal for Time's Up! to publicize the ride on
their web-site.

The decision appears to have had a significant effect on how the ride
was policed this month. A major reduction in the number of arrests was
observed, and unlike the majority of the 687 riders who have been
arrested on Critical Mass rides since August 2004, no riders were
charged with "parading without a permit". Three were arrested for
"disorderly conduct" and released from jail before 9 pm. 23 people
were issued citations traffic code violations.

For more about the 2/24/06 ride visit to the [[http://www.villagevoice.com/blogs/powerplays/archives/002482.php | Village Voice Blog Report]]