Rev. Al Sharpton at Critical Mass Ride

Reverend Al Sharpton spoke at a rally last evening before a Critical Mass ride last night to denounce police aggressiveness when it comes to public assemblies, and drew parallels to the police reaction in the Sean Bell shooting incident. Sharpton was joined by Sean Bell’s fiancee Nicole Paultre Bell, Bell’s father William Bell, and other cycling and Union Square Park advocates.

After the speaking portion of the rally, Sharpton actually got on a bike, and after a wobbly start amid the throng of photographers and onlookers, took off west down 14th Street, made a left at 5th Avenue, another left and east down 12th Street, and then back up University Place to Union Square. Shouts of support and many versions of “Was that just Al Sharpton on a bike?” were heard as the Reverend rode (fairly quickly) around the blocks. Video of the beginning of the ride can be found here.