Cops vs Bikes: NYC 2020 Edition

The "Isle of Manhattan" ride was started over a quarter-century ago. It is a traditional new year's day motorcycle ride around manhattan. The event happens regardless of weather. Even if there's snow on the ground, some riders always show up to ring in the New Year!

This year, NYPD Highway decided to make a show of force. Marked and unmarked cars (ironically, no police motorcycles!) trailed the ride. Half way around Manhattan, the police set up a roadblock, and directed all motorcyclists to stop. The riders were 100% legal, law abiding, and wearing excellent protective gear. Nevertheless, our ride was disrupted by the police, and we were told "the ride is over" and "get off the highway and go home."

Suffice it to say, we did not. We are all adults, and serious people. Many of us are professionals, with kids and homes. We didn't break any laws. The US Constitution's First Amendment grants us the right to freedom of assembly. Without reasonable suspicion of any crime, it is a violation of our first amendment rights to harass us as the NYPD did.

If the police truly were interested in increasing motorcycle safety, they should engage in conversation with us – not set up roadblocks, which do nothing to improve safety, and only create a hostile atmosphere between riders and the police.

In particular, the riders who show up for the annual new year's day ride are the MOST serious and law-abiding riders in NYC! It was ridiculous for the NYPD to target us, and the lackluster manner in which they "lectured" us (and issued ZERO tickets!) proved that.

If the NYPD had any sense or chill at all, their lecture should have been only three words: "HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Видео Cops vs Bikes: NYC 2020 Edition канала wiseblood