when I was in Portland, our mass rides were hounded by the cops for an entire season. We were surrounded by a legion of bike cops, a few squad cars with sirens & lights on, & a paddy wagon. They handed out plenty of frivolous tickes. I got a ticket for blowing a whistle ("unlawful use of emergency sound equipment") & riding 2 people on one bike, as well as for a red light that I didn't run. Someone was ticketed for sitting on a bridge railing. There were a few arrests; one guy was maced. Then they kicked us out of the town square after a ride, & we got the local cop-watcher lawyer to represent us on consignment. We sued the city, and after several months of haggling they settled out of court for $750 a person. I actually made money off of critical mass! After that, they didn't bother us again. Now I live in Seattle, & get to watch the whole cycle start again...
karla@celtech.com Karl Anderson <URL:http://www.reed.edu/~karl>