March 28, 2007

Rocketboom Field Report

Jen and I produced and edited a field report for Rocketboom reacting to the recent NYTimes article on NYPD surveillance.

It was fun to collaborate on this project together and contribute to Rocketboom. Andrew Baron composed the music, which added a lot to the piece.

Posted by Bikes Against Bush at 2:49 AM

March 25, 2007

Bikes Against Bush update

Jim Dwyer's article, City Police Spied Broadly Before G.O.P. Convention, in today's Sunday edition of the New York Times confirms a long-held suspicion -- Bikes Against Bush was under surveillance by law enforcement.

I'm not sure how to react at the moment, and will try to compose a more thoughtful response soon.

Posted by Bikes Against Bush at 5:12 AM

January 20, 2005

Case Dismissed

A bittersweet victory today... I was offered an ACD (Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal), and George W. Bush was inaugurated for his second term. This effectively ends my 5 month ordeal in court, though there are still many others facing bike-related injustices stemming from the RNC.

Thanks to everyone for their kind support throughout. It has meant so much.

Posted by Bikes Against Bush at 9:21 PM

December 3, 2004

Still Pending...

I apologize for not having updated in a while. The status of the case following the Nov. 17 appearance is still pending. Next court appearance will be Jan. 20, 2005.

Thanks to everyone for your support.

Posted by Bikes Against Bush at 10:30 AM

November 11, 2004

The Wheels of Justice Turn Slowly

I will appear in court again on Wednesday, November 17. This is still a pre-trial hearing as my case has now been postponed a couple times. The NYPD is still in possession of my computer, cell phone, bicycle, and invention. They will continue to hold my property until there is a resolution to the case. I guess I just have to be patient.

Thanks to everyone who has been supportive of me and Bikes Against Bush. I will post an update here as soon as I have more information.

If you are new to the site, check out this video to see what's going on.

Posted by Bikes Against Bush at 12:25 PM

October 19, 2004

Speaking at Maine College of Art, Thurs. 10/21, 6pm

I will be speaking this Thursday, Oct. 21, at Maine College of Art in Portland, Maine. Check out the poster.

I'll talk about my ongoing experience with Bikes Against Bush, as well as other political projects I've done this year. I will also do my best to encourage the students to vote -- Maine is a battle ground state and all those electoral votes count.

If you're in the area, check it out. I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have about this and pther projects.

Posted by Bikes Against Bush at 2:58 PM

September 30, 2004

Bikes Against Bush in Spectropolis, NYC, Oct. 1-3

Though my equipment is still being held by the NYPD, I will exhibit a demo-version and video documentation of Bikes Against Bush in Spectropolis tomorrow at City Hall Park.

Spectropolis: Mobile Media, Art and the City is a three-day event (October 1-3, 2004) in Lower Manhattan that highlights the diverse ways artists, technical innovators and activists are using communication technologies to generate urban experiences and public voice. The increasing presence of mobile communication technologies is transforming the ways we live, construct and move through our built environment. The participants of Spectropolis make obvious or play with this shift, creating new urban perceptions and social interactions with cell phones, laptops, wireless internet, PDAs and radio. In addition to twelve projects presented in City Hall Park, there will be several free hands-on workshops and three panels available to the public.

Don't forget to bring your Wi-Fi enabled laptop or PDA!

Posted by Bikes Against Bush at 4:46 PM

September 29, 2004

Status... Postponed Again Until Nov. 17

After today's court appearance the status of my case is still left to be determined. My attorneys have filed a motion to suppress the evidence and any statements I may have made on the grounds that there was no probable cause for the arrest and I had never been given Miranda rights. The prosecution has not yet prepared a response to the motion. So the judge decided to postpone the hearing until November 17.

Posted by Bikes Against Bush at 7:24 PM

September 24, 2004

Bikes Against Bush Video Shorts to Premiere at Bicycle Film Festival in San Francisco

If you're in the Bay Area, you won't want to miss this!

Bicycle Film Festival
Bikes Against Bush video shorts premiere
October 7, 2004, 7pm
Mighty (119 Utah St @ 15th)

Bicycle Film Festival is Wheelin' into San Francisco. A celebration of bicycles, and an environmentally friendly urban lifestyle through film, art, and performance.

After fun filled years of sold out shows in New York City the Fourth Annual Bicycle Film Festival (BFF) is coming to San Francisco. The BFF will present its selection of thirty passionate, hip and entertaining films from around the world October 7-9. These films embrace all aspects of bicycle culture, showcasing the lives of cyclists, BMX-ers, messengers, environmental advocates, fanatics, and all bike freaks.

BFF is designed to celebrate bike culture and promote environmental change. The festival was launched by Brendt Barbur, a Native Californian that was hit by a bus while riding his bike when he first moved to New York City from San Francisco. He wanted to create a positive outcome from a negative experience. Film programming will take place at the RED VIC MOVIE HOUSE (1727 Haight St. at Cole) and MIGHTY (119 Utah St. at 15th St.)

For more information or to arrange an interview with a festival spokesperson, please contact: Brendt Barbur (718) 926-1992, brendt@bicyclefilmfestival.com

Posted by Bikes Against Bush at 4:52 PM

September 6, 2004

Friday's Verdict... To Be Continued

The outcome of my court appearance on Friday has left my case to be determined. I am now required to submit a written motion to dismiss the case by Monday September 13, and will appear in court again on September 29.

Thank you for those of you who have supported this project through donations and letters of support. Let's not give up! Let's keep fighting for free speech! Without that, America is surely lost.

Posted by Bikes Against Bush at 5:31 PM

Letter of Support from Matt Reichl

To: Joshua Kinberg, President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Attorney General John Ashcroft, Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, Captain Michael J. Hurley, Ron Reagan

Gentlemen,

My fiancée and I visited Joshua Kinberg's website on the morning of August 30, 2004, after first becoming aware of its existence the previous week.  We were ready to send our own message to him, with hopes it would appear on a New York sidewalk in water-soluble chalk:

"DEFLATE BUSH. EXPAND STEM CELL RESEARCH. KILL CANCER,
NOT PEOPLE. END SUFFERING - END THE BUSH REGIME."

Instead we found the video of his arrest, a truly disgusting display of unreasonable authority illustrating an arrogant willingness to deprive Mr. Kinberg of his Constitutional rights.  The accusation was that he was engaged in graffiti -- but if such is the case, then why aren't 6-year-olds arrested when they play hopscotch?

I knew the Bush regime, with its Ashcroft-fueled movements towards a police state mentality, was ever-anxious to suppress the rights of certain Americans (at least the ones who disagree with them), but this latest demonstration of such is an embarrassment.

Not just to New York, Mr. Bloomberg, not only to your force, Mr. Kelly, not just to both you and your precinct, Captain Hurley.

No, I'm embarrassed personally.  I'm ashamed.  I hear the word "America" and I do not think of freedom.  I hear the word "America" and I think of Joshua Kinberg being shoved into a police van for disagreeing with those in power, and opening his voice to say as much.

What's incredible is that you're unaware that you not only violated Mr. Kinberg's freedom of speech; you stomped all over mine, and that of others like me -- citizens who intended for Mr. Kinberg's brilliant invention to be the megaphone through which we would shout.

Continue reading "Letter of Support from Matt Reichl"

Posted by Bikes Against Bush at 5:10 PM

CBC Radio Interview

I was interviewed by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Click to listen

Posted by Bikes Against Bush at 4:58 PM

September 2, 2004

Interview with Ron Reagan for MSNBC's Hardball

On Saturday, August 28, 2004, I was arrested while conducting an interview with Ron Reagan for MSNBC's Hardball. Following my release from the Tombs on Sunday, MSNBC aired their footage of my arrest, and I was interviewed live. Click to watch my interview on Hardball with Ron Reagan from Sunday August 29, 2004.

Posted by Bikes Against Bush at 3:18 PM

September 1, 2004

Air America Radio Interview

I was interviewed on Unfiltered with Lizz Winstead, Rachel Maddow, and Chuck D on Air America Radio yesterday.
Click here to listen.

Posted by Bikes Against Bush at 11:23 AM

New York's Graffiti Laws

First, I would like to preface this with the fact that at the time of my arrest I had made no markings on the street or sidewalk. I was giving an interview to a journalist, describing my invention and the goals of the Bikes Against Bush project.

Now, let's take a look at NY State's definition of graffiti:

TITLE I. OFFENSES INVOLVING DAMAGE TO AND INTRUSION UPON PROPERTY

ARTICLE 145. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF AND RELATED OFFENSES
NY CLS Penal § 145.60 (2004)

§ 145.60. Making graffiti

1. For purposes of this section, the term "graffiti" shall mean the etching, painting, covering, drawing upon or otherwise placing of a mark upon public or private property with intent to damage such property.

The tricky part here is that an "intent to damage such property" must be established. That would be very hard to do considering that my invention uses water-soluble chalk which does not damage or deface property. Chalk writing is generally permitted and there are no laws prohibiting the sale of sidewalk chalk as an "instrument of graffiti."

Now let's look at NY State Law regarding "possession of graffiti instruments":

§ 145.65. Possession of graffiti instruments

A person is guilty of possession of graffiti instruments when he possesses any tool, instrument, article, substance, solution or other compound designed or commonly used to etch, paint, cover, draw upon or otherwise place a mark upon a piece of property which that person has no permission or authority to etch, paint, cover, draw upon or otherwise mark, under circumstances evincing an intent to use same in order to damage such property.

Again, "intent to damage such property" must be established. Using a solution of water and chalk that biodegrades naturally and washes away cleanly with water can hardly be considered to damage property.

Posted by Bikes Against Bush at 11:04 AM

August 30, 2004

Bikes Against Bush Arrest Video

Many of you have heard by now that I was arrested on Saturday while describing my bicycle to Ron Reagan for MSNBC's Hardball. As a result, the Bikes Against Bush performance will have to be postponed until further notice. Click here to watch the video of my arrest. Or download the Torrent file.

I had not demonstrated the device, but was merely describing the project and the goal's of the performance to the media when a van with 5-6 police officers arrived. I produced Identification upon their request, after which they waited for a superior to arrive before arresting me. I was booked, fingerprinted, and photographed. They had bomb squad inspect my device, and afterwards they congratulated me on the design calling it "genius." Intelligence detectives questioned me about "violent protestors," but seemed disappointed to learn that I am an artist and only know other artists, and had no knowledge of any violence being planned. All my equipment -- bicycle, computer, cell phone, and electronics are being held till further notice. I am scheduled to appear in court on Friday and am facing the possibilty of jail time.

After being arrested, I spent 24 hours in the Tombs, a notorious NYC correctional facility, with over a hundred other bicyclists from the previous night's Critical Mass bicycle ride. Several of the cyclists detained were not even part of Critical Mass, but were simply on a bicycle at the wrong time when the police decided to arrest anyone on the streets with a bike. The cyclists had spent the previous night in a location that they were calling "Lil' Gitmo," a former bus depot on the west side piers converted into a holding pen for protestors. Lil' Gitmo had cells sectioned off with chainlink fence and razor wire, and a floor covered in motor oil, transmission fluid, and other toxic chemicals. The cyclists were forced to sleep on this floor, many of them only wearing cycling shorts and t-shirts. Several had severe skin rashes the next day as a result. They were transferred from Lil' Gitmo to the Tombs on Saturday morning, where I joined them later that day. Most of them were released on Sunday morning, but their bikes are being held till after they appear in court.

Following my release from prison on Sunday, my story has been all over the web. You can read about it at the following links:
BoingBoing, Slashdot, Kottke, Gothamist, Engadget, Gizmodo, NYC Indymedia, Julia Set, Hardblogger

Posted by Bikes Against Bush at 4:15 PM

August 23, 2004

Welcome to Bikes Against Bush

Bikes Against Bush is an interactive protest/performance occurring simultaneously online and on the streets of NYC during the 2004 Republican National Convention. Using a wireless Internet enabled bicycle outfitted with a custom-designed printing device, the Bikes Against Bush bicycle can print text messages sent from web users directly onto the streets of Manhattan in water-soluble chalk.

Posted by Bikes Against Bush at 11:40 AM