Critical Mass
Union Square, NYC
NYC’s Critical Mass started 10 years ago and grew to over 1,000 riders in the summer of 2004. Then in August, just days before the RNC, the ride swelled to 5,000 and the infuriated cops arrested over 250 people at in front of St. Mark’s Church. Since then, the NYPD has waged a consistent assault on the ride, intimidating riders with bogus flyers, loudspeakers and massive police presence, physically attacking and arresting riders, and smearing the ride in the press (sample headlines: “End the Anarchy!” and “Extremists have Hijacked Critical Mass”). The RMO made the decision that some of the energy and fun needed to be reinjected into this celebratory ride, and we’ve been playing for the riders as they assemble each month.
War Resisters League March
Harlem, NYC
On the two year anniversary of the start of the Iraq War, the War Resisters League and UFPJ sponsored a march from Malcolm X Park to Central Park.
Normal Siegel Campaign Benefit
Time’s Up space, SoHo, NYC
Norman Siegel is the former director of the NYCLU and longtime civil rights lawyer. He has defended the rights of protestors many times over the years, including RNC and Critical Mass arrestees. He’s currently defending Time’s Up from a lawsuit filed by the city against the group in an effort to squash Critical Mass yet again. He’s currently running for Public Advocate, and the RMO supported him by kicking out the jams at this benefit held in the Time’s Up space.
St. Patrick’s Day for All Parade
Sunnydale/Woodside, Queens
For years, the city’s “official” St. Patrick’s Day Parade has excluded gay and lesbian Irish groups and prevented them from marching. So, the industrious folks of the St. Patrick’s Parade & Irish Fair Committee in Queens started their own parade and invited queer groups to participate. The RMO looked spiffy and appropriately green in our new winter marching uniforms (click here to see) and marched behind an anti-imperialism group. This may be the only event when the Mayor and the Rude Mechanical Orchestra are present at the same time, and no one got arrested.
Greene Dragon Party
Asterisk, Bushwick, Brooklyn
Greene Dragon is a street theater project that takes the imagery and mythology of the American Revolution to criticize the administration and policy of the man they call King George II. The theme of this benefit was “Outlaw Party,” and the venue was dressed up as the infamous Pier 57, where protestors were corralled (including most of the RMO). The RMO heated up this wild theme party, along with Langhorne Slim, Battlestar America, 57 Octaves Below, Freedom Phil, Reverend Billy and the Revel Singing Army.
Benefit for the 4th Street Co-op
Galapagos, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
This benefit supported the 4th Street Co-op in the East Village, of which our sax/piccolo/arranger extraordinaire Martin is a member.
