Minneapolis Bike Ride Against Political Repression a success
Some participants in the ride to fundraise for Committee to Stop FBI Repression Some of the participants in the ride to raise funds for the Committee to Stop FBI Repression. (Fight Back! News/Staff)
Minneapolis, MN – More than 30 people participated in a Bike Ride Against Political Repression here on a chilly morning Oct. 14. Riders collected pledges and raised over $1700.
The ride, organized by the Minnesota Committee to Stop FBI Repression, raised awareness and funds to support the 23 anti-war and international solidarity activists who were raided by the FBI in September 2010 and were subpoenaed to a grand jury investigating international solidarity activism. The 23 have refused to testify to the grand jury, characterizing it as a witch hunt against their political activism. According to the prosecutor’s office the investigation of the activists is ongoing in pursuit of indictments.
The bike ride featured a five-mile route and a 25-mile route that started on the Midtown Greenway. The 25-mile route circled Minneapolis on several of the city’s bike trails. The five-mile ride was accompanied by Tipsy Bike – a mobile sound system on a bike – that played politically charged music as riders were gathering and riding.
The participants who raised the most funds for the cause received prizes including a gift certificate from local bike shop Cycles for Change, a home-baked cake and Ride Against Repression t-shirts.
Organizers considered the event a success in raising awareness and raising funds to support the Anti-War 23 and build the movement against political repression.
Brad Sigal of MN Committee to Stop FBI Repression speaks before the ride begins Brad Sigal of the MN Committee to Stop FBI Repression speaks before the ride begins. (Fight Back! News/Staff)