Still We Ride DVD
by Elizabeth Press
New Version includes a new Fly comic zine about Times Up! and 6 new bonus shorts including "Dooring PSA", "Gears for Fears", "Hit a Frog", "Congestion Pricing", "Unconventional Critical Mass", uncut Chris Carlson Interview, and "Memorial Ride". This action packed documentary by Elizabeth Press, Andrew Lynn, and Chris Ryan is a glimpse into the shocking showdown between the monthly Critical Mass ride and the New York City Police Department in the months after August 2004. It is also a wake up call to all Americans, whether they ride bicycles or simply value the freedom of speech and peaceably assemble.
On Friday August 27, 2004 just days before the start of the Republican National Convention, a massive police operation was underway. By the end of the night 264 people were arrested. It marked one of the largest mass arrests in New York City's history. But that was just the beginning! Still We Ride illustrates the climate of both fear and resilience that gripped NYC's cycling community amidst the ongoing monthly crackdowns. Watch the trailer!
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Comments
It might be short, but it's very well done. I saw this as well as a few other videos on this site at the Lost Film Fest which came to my little PA town recently. It definetly shook me up a little and pissed me off a lot and made me happy to ride my bike even more!
Noteworthy: The 3 directors of Still We Ride were all arrested for biking during Critical Mass in NYC. To find out more info about why this is important check http://www.times-up.org/ AND http://www.stillweridethemovie.com/
Or maybe you like it when the government sues a volunteer organization for promoting a bike ride. For having it listed on Time's Up web calendar the nonprofit has had to pay $45,000 in legal paperwork fees (their lawyers work pro bono) ... that is more than Time's Up entire yearly budget.
I hope you buy this movie, then organize some screenings.
Between the participants, the lawyers, organizers, and more this is a fairly well-rounded documentary that shows that not only were a bunch of smart-alec kids fucked with, but a lot of regular Joe's and Jane's who wanted nothing more than to go for a huge bike ride.
Still We Ride succeeds in adding dramatic visuals to a storyline that has mostly became a depressing litany of monthly arrest statistics. Over the course of the film, viewers come face to face with police brutality and an assortment of joyful bikers and colorful characters. After watching Still We Ride, it becomes clear just how pervasive the video camera has become at political protests.