NEW YORK, Aug. 27 -- Nearly 250 bicyclists were arrested Friday night during a mass protest that passed Madison Square Garden the first major police crackdown on demonstrators as a wave of activists is expected to arrive for the Republican National Convention.
The cyclists had snaked through Manhattan for the monthly Critical Mass ride. But what was usually a crowd of hundreds swelled to thousands, with organizers saying the excursion drew a horde of bikers protesting the convention.
Police Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne said the cyclists caused "massive disruptions" and endangered motorists trying to drive through the city. About 250 cyclists were arrested, including one for throwing a beer can at an officer, he said. The officer was not injured.
