London: More than 130 cycling activists arrested

Police stop cyclists during scuffles close to London's Olympic Stadium, July 27, 2012. A spokesman for Scotland Yard said police intervened when participants in a monthly cycling event breached regulations restricting their route. / Lewis Whyld/Press Association via AP Images

(AP) LONDON - Police protecting the Olympic Park on opening night said Saturday they arrested more than 130 activists on bicycles involved in an hours-long effort to breach the park's security cordon.

Police said they were aware that a monthly protest by cyclists, Critical Mass, was planned for Friday but ordered the protesters to remain south of the River Thames, to keep them from blocking more than 80,000 ticket-holding guests from attending the Olympics opening ceremony.

The anti-capitalist group Occupy London, part of a global movement that has waged demonstrations against financial institutions and capitalist policies, said some cyclists were members of the movement. They said police cordoned off more than 100 cyclists at one road junction near the stadium as Friday's ceremony was beginning and held them there several hours.

A Metropolitan Police statement said about 400 to 500 cyclists immediately and repeatedly sought to cross bridges north to the Olympic venue, and scores of cyclists succeeded by breaking up into smaller groups.

It said police began arresting the cyclists only after several verbal warnings to leave the area were ignored.

Critical Mass London
Occupy London

"People have a right to protest. It is an incredibly important part of our democracy," the Metropolitan Police statement said.

"What people do not have the right to do is to hold a protest that stops other people from exercising their own rights to go about their business. That means athletes who have trained for years for their chance in a lifetime to compete; millions of ticket holders from seeing the world's greatest sporting event; and everyone else in London who wants to get around."

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[credibility2]

The occupy groups, regardless of where they're located or what they call themselves, are made up of malcontents who are jealous of the success and money of everybody else. They only care about themselves and no one else.

[MythostheWhale]

i am a keen cyclist and have joined critical mass london and few times. years ago it was a more free spirited group and we enjoyed the ride with minor road blocking. the idea that cycling is better than cars in every way was clearly demonstrated with the need to make problems.
lately i felt that the group dynamic have changed and more immature behavior was talking place. its as if they wanted to protest just to protest, make trouble with out a reason and without looking for or providing a solution. the london cycling campaign does a lot better than critical mass.

[ffoulkes2009]

They got to where they liked the spotlight. Some people are just drawn to it so they can try and catch their mug on the evening news.

[obamaISawesomeLOL]

The occupiers are like 10-20 old hippies in my city, if they were closer to my age I'd try and pick a fight with them. These cry baby activists these days deserve beat downs and baton sticks for their asinine causes and thinking their so special they can just interrupt society because their too damn lazy to contribute to it.

[NB62]

The police should have used night sticks to crush a few skulls and attack dogs on those scums to teach those vermins a painful lesson

[WakeUpPeople001]

Who told the Olympic organizers to display South Korea's flag beside North Korean soccer players?

Who told Germany's President to wave like a Nazi?

The "powers that be" **LOVE** corporations and creating conflict.

[kbbpll]

These are not "cyclists". These are idiots who happen to have bicycles. I am offended by the association.

[formerlyluvnut]

OMG.......stupid people doing stupid things.

[hypnotoad72]

They would say the same things of you and me, actually...

[rwsmith29456]

I'm pretty stupid, but taking needed security from the games for a worthless gesture is infinitely more stupid.

[EmpireGeorge______--]

These are the same clowns that tied up Los Angeles, and the freeway, ports blocked.

[hypnotoad72]

So you're saying they flew over from London to Los Angeles?

BTW - the moment capitalism devours you, you will have only yourself to blame... ironic, isn't it?

[hypnotoad72]

BTW: Do you even understand what they support? Apart from the spin that your buddy Rush spews out?

Probably not... but I will agree - could doing unethical things in order to force banks, companies, and others to be ethical ultimately be self-defeating? Don't answer that, it's predictable anyhow...

[MagnaCartaUK]

Whilst many here may empathize with some of their complaints, especially the hated bankers, there's a time and place for everything - and this wasn't it. The fact that they were willing to use the Games as a platform, without any regard for the rights of others they so often state they represent, will only lose them public support. They were arrogant, but learnt they must respect the law of the land like the rest of us. The Met. Police showed them routine patience and courtesy which was ignored. They did a good job.

[hypnotoad72]

Thank you for providing a reasoned and thoughtful post. In return, you deserve the same. Your points are valid. But I fear these situations will only get worse... and the only way that they will lose support long-term is if the conditions these people fight against disappear. So when middle class wage paying jobs return, the protesters won't have a cause anymore.

But, yeah, I agree with some of their concerns, but the Olympics was not the right time or place.

Now if only the people they detest would also respect the law of the land... and the virtue of ethics and morals, especially those who claim to be guided by Christ and so on...

It works both ways.

[violist47]

Well put.