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Barb Eisenmenger 290 East 5th Street, Garner IA 50438 641 923-xxxx

April 1, 2002 LETTER TO THE EDITOR Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

On a recent visit from Iowa on Good Friday, March 29th, I was subject to a terrifying experience in the city of Minneapolis - an unbridled display of brute power by the Minneapolis Police Department.

I joined my son and a group of about 50 people in Loring Park to ride in the Critical Mass, a monthly bike ride for cyclists' rights. As fifty bicyclists started on our intended ride, six police cars arrived on the scene to prohibit the group from continuing their bike ride together. Within minutes, a large, flatbed trailer outfitted with emergency lights approached. The arrival of the truck provided the means for the police to confiscate bicycles by loading with total disregard unto the trailer and keep them in their possession.

I am a mother who raised my children to respect the police and regard them as a friend. My children and grandchildren see the police in this manner and have a high regard for the law. My respect the Minneapolis City Police Department has greatly diminished with the first-hand observation I made on Good Friday.

The Minneapolis City police were men in power. They exercised that power to deprive the rights of citizens who work together to promote bicyclist's interest in building an awareness of their rights for ownership of the road.

Barb Eisenmenger