|
As
part of Buy Nothing Day a group of Chicago Massers met at
the Daley Plaza for what has become one of my favorite rides,
the Shoppers Special. We started under the city's display
of Christmasexcess. This years display was no disappointment.
My favorite part, actually I had two, are 1, these dancing
bears and other animals made either of or to look like bent
branches; 2, there are some cool lights installed at both
Daley Plaza and Skate on State. These are basically Varilights
(the kind that they use at concerts) in some sort of environmental
domes. These instruments were seen later in the day projecting
multicolor snow flakes on the buildings bordering the Daley
Plaza. Our tax dollars at work.
|
|
We
decided to head north to the Magnificent Mile where
we knew that we would find tons of shoppers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
My
friend Ron came to Chicago from Albuquerque, New
Mexico for Thanksgiving. This was the first time
Ron had been in town in during a time of the month
when we have a Critical Mass. For Ron congestion
is if he finds five other riders on the 25 miles
of single track that are less than a mile from his
house. I knew that he would get a kick out of riding
with many people.
|
|
|
|
As
we headed up Michigan Avenue and into the
18th district we found a rather large (60-80
people) protest. This group was protesting
the use of natural fur in the making of
clothing. Their group went from furrier
to furrier along the Mag Mile ending at
Bloomingdales. I have no doubt that the
massive police presence was because of a
violent encounter on the streets of New
York a few years ago. We rode along with
them at a couple of different times. I was
enjoying shouting at pedestrians just in
front of the protest that had started to
notice the march "Watch out they want
your furs."
|
 |
When
we went down Oak Street Payton was
shouting "Do you really need
a $10,000 watch? |
|
This
got a great shout of approval from
the group we had assembled on our
bikes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
As
a public service I have identified the rider/officer
that infiltrated one of our last Critical
Mass rides.
Keep your eyes open in the future.
|
|
|
|
One
last image that I thought I would leave
you with is that of a couple of people parking
a car with municipal plates in a tow away
zone.
Keep calling the cops when you see 'em double
parked.
|
|
|
Comments, suggestions, questions and expletives
tell Daniel
|
