This bike ride sure did strike a nerve last Monday
I wasn’t there, but apparently last Monday there was a bike ride and protest against police brutality that ended at the Tucson Police Station on Stone Avenue.
Everything I know about this protest is third-hand, so please don’t take my word for it. But I heard there was a cop pinata that people beat with mag-lights. When it broke open, donuts came out.
I also heard that some people used chalk to write on the sidewalk in front of the station, and possibly also on the walls of the station.
When speaking with the police last week about another matter, one officer revealed to me that catching the perpetrators of this “vandalism” (their word) was the Chief’s “highest priority.” And another officer has spoken to me about this event as well. Apparently Channel Four News is doing a story on it on the evening news on Thursday. My best guess is that the police hope to bring charges over the chalk drawings.
I catch the humor in the pinata, but it’s a pretty mean joke and I’m not sure it’s the best way to express your opposition to brutality.
And it doesn’t seem like the police are laughing about it at all.
–Erik Ryberg
October 31st, 2007 at 5:00 pm
I am happy I found your site. I participated in critical mass and attended my first community bike ride last night. I hope to be a regular.
I was not at the TPD pinata event either. However, I admire the creativity of the “perpetrators”. The maglite/donuts detail was pure genius. I don’t know who did this, but I wish I did.