[dc-critmass-list] Critical Mass is not an organization.

[docguch at juno.com]

Critical Mass is not an organization.  There is no such thing as
membership or joining.  Critical Mass is an international phenomenon.  We
are not blocking traffic, we are TRAFFIX.   Critical Mass has no mission
statement, each participant makes the ride what it is.  To my personal
opinion, Critical Mass is about telling the car culture to "Kiss My A55!"
 I participate in Critical Mass, for the transportation issue.  Talking
about other non-transportation agendas that other CM participants bring
to the ride,  I have been guilty of the similar, during the anti-war
protests, I took the anti-car and transportation issue to the protest. 
Let WABA know that they can bring their own agendas to Critical Mass. 
Critical Mass is not an organization, so there is no such thing as
recruiting people, people just participate. 

I know in the many CMs--especially the DC CM--we have had a large
presence of the Gonad Squad, which has made caused the misperception of
CM.  Every individual makes the ride what it is.  So I have no room to
tell the Gonad Squad to chill out, I just don't have to be part of the
Gonad Squad.  

What a citizen might say about CM:
> - "That's a little too radical for me."

What are you talking about? Too radical?  Not so.  CM rides are not too
radical, because each Critical Mass participant makes the ride what it
is.  If you are a potential participant and don't like radicalism, then
you can make the ride less radical. 

> - "Don't you all end up getting arrested?"

Not true.  Just obey all traffic laws, and you won't get arrested.  If
you don't agree with one of the traffic laws, take it up with the city
council or do some lobbying.  I talked to a couple of Law Enforcement
insiders--that come to my clinic,  they have said we have endangered
pedestrians and ran red lights, and also endangered our own safety.  Just
as a advisory remark YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS trying to cross the street and
I am going to stop at red lights so I won't get hit by cross traffic,
even if it means falling behind.  Don't follow the Gonad Squad and make
your own decisions, and you won't get arrested.  More traffic laws
obeyed, less policia presence.  PEDESTRIANS ARE OUR TRANSPORTATION
ALLIES, YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS!

> - "I'm against causing conflict."

Critical Mass isn't about causing conflict.  It is a celebration of
bicyclists asserting their right to be on the road.  It is the car
drivers that are causing conflict.  If you are against causing conflict,
then get out of your car and start walking, riding your bike, or taking
public transport.
  
> - "I'm just not that kind of biker."

Huh?  what kind of biker?  If you are not that kind of biker, that means
you must be too addicted to your car.

> - *rolled eyes*

That means you don't know the facts about CM and mistaken it as an
anarchist, traffic blocking, trouble causing organization.
  
>DCCM has a pretty harsh rep for being a confrontational assembly of
radical anti-capitalists.

The truth is that CM is a bunch of  bikers celebrating and drawing
attention to traffic issues.

> Draw folks to one date and focus outreach efforts on it... make it
new-people-friendly and make sure it's one big day. 

The one big date should be EVERY FRIDAY, so it can be more flexible to
the majority.  To only have it once a month would be inflexible to people
who have busy schedules and a family to tend to.  Make it EVERY FRIDAY,
we are still at WAR against inconsiderate car drivers, BIG OIL,
automotive industry, and pro-automobile bias.  Making it EVERY FRIDAY can
also encourage Solidarity Riders to participate in CM and make it the way
anyone wants.  

        I have some new flyers, that reflects the info about CM being
every Friday.  I am willing to forward a copy to anyone.  Please pass out
the flyers.  For any media students, make a commercial and broadcast it
on TV.  For anyone who is has money, advertise CM info in the newspaper
or the classified.  On any DC Tourism guide, try to get CM advertised in
Tourism guide.  Advertise CM on AdBusters http://www.adbusters.org or Car
Busters http://www.carbusters.org   

David

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