On Tuesday, New York City agreed to pay $97,751 to five cyclists who said they were harassed during the March 2007 Critical Mass ride…and that’s not the incident you’re likely thinking of.
The cyclists, including the Richard Vasquez shoved from his bike in the video above, will receive anywhere from $500 to $30,000 each, and the lawyers will receive a total of $35,000 (euh, I just threw up a little). The cyclists claimed that they were wrongfully detained and arrested during the ride, which is plainly visible in the vid.
In a report on the NY Times City Room, Mr. Vasquez said in a statement: “While I’m pleased with the monetary victory for myself and the other plaintiffs, there will be no real justice until the higher-ups in the N.Y.P.D. are held accountable for their actions, and it is not just the low ranking officers who are punished.â€
That’s a far cry from the $1.5 million Christopher Long was suing for after being thrown from his bike in a 2008 CM ride and the ensuing falsification of police reports. This is the video you’re probably thinking of, found on this link or after the break…
