We are all Sean Bell – we are all Critical Mass! The Reverend Al Sharpton joined NYC’s Critical Mass bike ride on Friday, taking a stand for solidarity among movements. Critical Mass advocates for safe people-powered transportation with massive recreational bike rides.

Ever since riders took part in protests around the Republican National Convention however, New York police have come down heavily on Critical Mass. The aggressive behavior of the cops has forged some interesting alliances – last Friday’s ride was dedicated to Sean Bell, the 23 year old killed by police bullets on the eve of his wedding.

The Rev. Al Sharpton and the family of Sean Bell joined the Critical Mass ride for a spin around the block and addressed the crowd about common cause, and what Sharpton called the "common pattern of NYPD harassment experienced by diverse groups of law-abiding citizens."
Their message: if we can ride together, if we can protest together, we can make a better world.