Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Cyclists Strike Back at LAPD Commission Meeting

bicycle_license_law.jpg
Photo by GarySe7en via Flickr

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

On Saturday night, two cyclists were detained, handcuffed and cited for small infractions including incorrect address on a driver's license and no bicycle license, although the law regarding bicycle licenses has been suspended by City Council.

The triviality that took place is now on the record.

"This is how I spent my Saturday night," cyclists Alex Thompson said this morning as he held the above photo of him in handcuffs up to the LAPD's Police Commission. "[The other cyclist] was cuffed and searched, told his put his face on the car--'Keep his fucking face on the car," that's what the officer told him. And at the end of it all, after 25 minutes of this, he was issued this citation." Thompson then held a photo of it to the commission. "The citation is a citation for no bike license and an incorrect address on his drivers license."

Community activist Stephen Box then stood up to the commission and told them how he tried to intervene by calling the Watch Commander at Wilshire Division, who told him they could complain after the fact. "You should not have to be the victim to point out to the LAPD that something is happening that shouldn't be happening," Box said referring to the law now under a moratorium.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today