Minneapolis Bike Ride Against Political Repression a success
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.
