Critical Mass -what's the point?

[Lucky Luke.]

I had a Thule bag full of biltong, dry-wors and beer

 

Ok now we are talking!

[Ramrod]

I would like to "like" some of the comments made here but i am afraid that would be construed as soliciting friendship on The Hub.

 

Then i would not be able to fit in with those who had the BEST THREAD blocked. What am i to do???

[fabes]

I would like to "like" some of the comments made here but i am afraid that would be construed as soliciting friendship on The Hub.

 

Then i would not be able to fit in with those who had the BEST THREAD blocked. What am i to do???

Looks to me like you just trying to get your post count up with a post like this. Are you trying to break the record of 140 posts in one day

[Ramrod]

Looks to me like you just trying to get your post count up with a post like this. Are you trying to break the record of 140 posts in one day

You got me there Fabes! And thanks to you i get to add another one!

[fabes]

 

You got me there Fabes! And thanks to you i get to add another one!

+1

[ccc2]

The purpose: cyclists aren't just the lycra-clad roadies you see on Sunday. People from all walks of life, young and old, ride. Maybe there's someone you know. Bicycles belong on the street. See how many of us there are.

 

It's the bike version of toyi-toyi.

 

The bigger it gets, the more people notice. The more other cyclists and noob cyclists join in. In Cape Town, we have Critical Mass and Moonlight Mass. We have other get-togethers at pubs and clubs happening. We have bike polo. We're getting the city centre closed for a "bikes/skateboards, roller blades/etc only' day.

 

The authorities respond. Community police are starting the close the roads for us. The City Council are starting to negotiate with cyclists - they realise this is good for the city. We're getting cycle paths along some main roads like Albert Road.

 

That's what Critical Mass is for.

 

this is interesting - i arrange cycle races in the middle of nowhere and i need to fill in reams of paper forms, do enviromental impact assessments ,submit evacuation / medical plans, submit photos of what banners will be displayed, what i will do with the litter and the traffic police cost an arm & a leg.

[Wyatt Earp]

Fabes and Speshfan, you guys only come here for likes, now you got them

 

And Speshfan also rides a bike strong to top it all

[skidd]

The purpose: cyclists aren't just the lycra-clad roadies you see on Sunday. People from all walks of life, young and old, ride. Maybe there's someone you know. Bicycles belong on the street. See how many of us there are.

 

It's the bike version of toyi-toyi.

 

The bigger it gets, the more people notice. The more other cyclists and noob cyclists join in. In Cape Town, we have Critical Mass and Moonlight Mass. We have other get-togethers at pubs and clubs happening. We have bike polo. We're getting the city centre closed for a "bikes/skateboards, roller blades/etc only' day.

 

The authorities respond. Community police are starting the close the roads for us. The City Council are starting to negotiate with cyclists - they realise this is good for the city. We're getting cycle paths along some main roads like Albert Road.

 

That's what Critical Mass is for.

 

This is all happening in Joburg too (you guys in CT are ahead, but not too far). As a direct result of CM I and some other cyclists from JUCA and clubs are meeting with the city every month. There are plans for open city days, where the roads will be closed. Jozi's first proper bike lane project should be completed by Decmeber 2012, funded by a German company. There are great plans for cycling in Joburg. We are not reckless savages, but protest is good when you have something to protest about.

[Evan Andreou]

However, in terms of the Gatherings Act, the word “gathering” has a different and specific meaning. The Act says that a gathering is a march, picket, or parade of more than 15 people taking place in a public space, such as a street, park or on the steps of a building etc. Further, the Act says a gathering is understood as an activity that expresses any form of contestation or is critical towards whomsoever, whether it is, for example, a person, a company or government body. A gathering requires prior notification to the relevant local authority.

 

A march, picket, or parade of 15 people or less requires no notification.

 

 3. Who is the convener?

 

The convener is the person who is officially in charge of a gathering, and who is responsible for asking permission from the local authority.

 

The convener is the person appointed by an organization to obtain permission to gather from the local authority on behalf of that organization.

 

 4. What is the role of the convener?

 

The convener is responsible for notifying the relevant local authority of the proposed gathering and being the contact person for the organization.

 

The process of notifying the authority of the gathering is as follows:

 

· Firstly, the convener fills in the notice form and gives it to the local authority. When the authority does not have a notice form to be filled in, the convener must create and complete a notice form on his/her own and give it to the authority.

· Secondly, the convener must take part in the negotiations at any meeting that may be called by a representative of the local authority.

 

 5. What if the convener appointed by the organization is not playing his/her role in a given situation?

 

The person or the organization applying for a gathering must also appoint a deputy convener. The role of the deputy convener is to replace the convener when necessary. For example, is the convener is unable to attend a meeting called by a local authority, the deputy convener will then be called to attend it.

 

 6. What is a notice?

 

A notice is a form or a document that is signed by the convener and which contains the details of the gathering, the details of the convener, and, when it applies, the details of the organization. This signed and completed document is handed to the local authority to get permission to hold the gathering. See attached example.

 

 7. What kind of information must be put in a notice?

 

Where the local authority provides the notice form, the convener only needs to fill out the form with the required information. The information requested on the form that needs to be filled in to obtain permission to hold a gathering anywhere in South Africa is listed below. Where the local authority does not provide such a form, the convener must create a document that is similar to this by writing down all the questions below and completing the answers. In both cases the convener must sign the form.

 

The contents of a notice form:

1) The name, address and telephone and facsimile numbers of the convener and his deputy. The name of the organization or branch thereof on whose behalf the gathering is being organized, or if it is not so organized, a statement that the gathering is organized by the convener.

2) The purpose of the gathering.

3) The time, duration and date of the gathering.

4) The place where the gathering will be held.

5) The anticipated number of participants.

6) The proposed number and, where possible, the names of the marshals who will be appointed by the convener.

7) The manner in which the marshals will be distinguished from other participants.

8) In the case of a gathering that will take the form of a procession (march):

a. The exact and complete route of the procession.

b. The time when and the place at which

participants in the procession will assemble, and the time when and the place at which the procession will start. c. The time when and the place where the procession and the participants will disperse.

d. The manner in which the participants will be transported, both to the place of assembly and from the point of dispersal.

e. The number and types of vehicles involved in the procession, if any.

9) If notice is given later than seven days before the date on which the gathering is to be held, the reason why it was not given earlier.

 

 7. To whom must the notice to be sent?

 

The notice must be sent to the responsible officer, either by hand or fax. The responsible officer is the person appointed by the local authority to deal with matters associated with gatherings and he/she has the authority to permit a gathering.

 

 8. When must the notice be handed to the local authority?

 

The notice must reach the responsible officer 7 days before the planned gathering. When it is not possible to send the notice 7 days in advance, the convener may still send the notice to the responsible officer, but must include in the notice the reason why it was not sent on time.

 

When the notice is sent within 48 hours of the gathering, the responsible officer may prohibit the gathering without reasons.

 

 9. What can the convener expect after sending the notice?

 

The convener can expect to be invited to a meeting by the responsible officer. This meeting will be attended by the following:

· The convener or, if he/she cannot make it, the deputy convener.

· The responsible officer.

· A representative of the police.

· Any other officer concerned.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss any possible changes to the gathering as it is planned and described in the notice. The responsible officer or the police representative may want the gatherers to follow another route than the one described in the notice for security or other reasons.

 

If an agreement is reached at a meeting, the gathering may proceed in accordance with the notice as it has been changed. If no agreement is reached, the responsible officer may impose on the convener any reasonable changes to the conditions under which the gathering was planned to proceed by imposing any further conditions required for the gathering to take place. The officer must give written reasons to justify his/her decision.

 

 10. What happens if the responsible officer does not call a meeting?

 

If the convener is not called to a meeting within 24 hours of sending the notice, the gathering is automatically legal and can proceed without any further formalities under the conditions described in the notice.

 

 11. Can the responsible officer prohibit the gathering?

 

Yes, the responsible officer may prohibit the gathering, but he/she must first meet the convener. Secondly, the responsible officer must give written reasons justifying the prohibition. Thirdly, to justify the prohibition of the gathering, the officer must be convinced that one of the following will take place and that it will not be for the police to prevent these:

· The gathering will result in serious disruption of traffic.

· The gathering will result in injury to participants gathering or other persons.

· The gathering will result in extensive damage to property.

 

12. What happens if the gathering is prohibited?

 

If the gathering takes place despite the prohibition, it will be treated as illegal. Any person attending a prohibited gathering is committing an offence.

 

However a gathering should be prohibited only in exceptional cases. If you have any reason to believe your gathering should not have been prohibited, you may approach a Magistrates or High Court (preferably the High Court) and ask the magistrate or judge to give declare the prohibition illegal and give permission for the gathering to go ahead. You don’t need a lawyer for this. Just go to the judge with your story written down in an affidavit and you should win your case.

 

SECTION TWO: THE GUARANTEED RIGHTS

 

 1. Protesters and the Bill of Rights

 

The South African Constitution, which is the highest law of the country, contains a Bill of Rights that protects fundamental human rights and freedoms. This section deals with some of those rights and freedoms. First, however, it should be noted that, in theory, protesters are entitled to assert their fundamental rights and freedoms and as such, they can demand that state agents, e.g. police officers, respect these rights and freedoms. In practice, however, protesters who insist heavily on their rights and freedoms are subject to even more repressive actions from police officers.

[Evan Andreou]

Any of the above happening wrt CM?

[Joe_Cogs]

However, in terms of the Gatherings Act....

 

TLDR -

[Evan Andreou]

 

 

TLDR -

 

Ok

I understand your abbreviation finally. Truth is CM qualifies on a number if not most of the criteria for a gathering. I dont believe many of the requirements are being met

Edited September 4, 2012 by wolverine

[skidd]

Why must a protest be legal? If it was, we wouldn't be able to protest. Maybe someone should turn up at the next one and make a citizen's arrest. How about you Wolverine? If anyone gets arrested at CM Joburg, it will be me.

[Wyatt Earp]

However, in terms of the Gatherings Act, the word “gathering” has a different and specific meaning. The Act says that a gathering is a march, picket, or parade of more than 15 people taking place in a public space, such as a street, park or on the steps of a building etc. Further, the Act says a gathering is understood as an activity that expresses any form of contestation or is critical towards whomsoever, whether it is, for example, a person, a company or government body. A gathering requires prior notification to the relevant local authority. A march, picket, or parade of 15 people or less requires no notification.................

 

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/7/78207/2524741-Cool_abbfab_1578124.jpg

[Wyatt Earp]

Why must a protest be legal? If it was, we wouldn't be able to protest. Maybe someone should turn up at the next one and make a citizen's arrest. How about you Wolverine? If anyone gets arrested at CM Joburg, it will be me.

 

But then again ,who said we were protesting.

If one reads the comments on twitter the Jozi council are even happy to have us do this.

Someone even messaged me on Flickr saying that we are helping in preserving and restoring the city.

 

They are welcome to arrest me, as long as they feed me beer and burgers.

[Evan Andreou]

Why must a protest be legal? If it was, we wouldn't be able to protest. Maybe someone should turn up at the next one and make a citizen's arrest. How about you Wolverine? If anyone gets arrested at CM Joburg, it will be me.

 

You extending an invite?