On Friday, August 23, 2024, the Push’N Pedals Cycling Club, in collaboration with the DMV Cycling Alliance and the Office of Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley, will host the ‘Ride Against Hate’ event. The ride is a direct response to a racial assault against African American members of Push’N Pedals that occurred in downtown Annapolis on June 28, 2024—a crime that was not publicly reported by the Annapolis Police Department.
Event Details
The ‘Ride Against Hate’ will start with a meetup at 8:45 p.m. in the old Sears parking lot at Annapolis Mall, with the ride beginning at 9:30 p.m. Riders of all levels, from across the DMV area, are invited to join this 10-mile casual ride into downtown Annapolis. Participants are encouraged to wear reflective gear and use bicycle lights. A rain date is scheduled for August 24, 2024.
Incident Prompting the Event
The event was organized after a disturbing incident during the club’s annual ride on June 28, 2024. While cycling through downtown Annapolis, Push’N Pedals members were subjected to racial slurs from pedestrians and motorists. The situation escalated when individuals in a black vehicle assaulted the cyclists by throwing rocks and using bear mace. FOr some reason, this incident was not reported to the public by the Annapolis Police Department. We have contacted the Annapolis Police Department to find out why.
A Call to Action
In response, Push’N Pedals, the DMV Cycling Alliance, and Mayor Gavin Buckley’s office have organized the ‘Ride Against Hate’ to condemn the racial aggression and to advocate for safer roads for all cyclists.
“Annapolis is a city that embraces diversity, inclusion, and unity,” said Mayor Gavin Buckley. “The ‘Ride Against Hate’ is a powerful statement against intolerance and bigotry, which have no place in our community. We stand with the Push’N Pedals Cycling Club and the DMV Cycling Alliance in their mission to promote safety and respect for all who share our streets.”
Goals of the Ride
The event aims to:
Raise awareness of the dangers cyclists face on the road.Stand against racism in all forms.Promote love and unity within the community.
The organizers also hope to strengthen collaboration between cyclists and the broader community, emphasizing that roads in Annapolis and throughout Maryland should be safe for all, regardless of background.
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Source link : https://www.eyeonannapolis.net/2024/08/ride-against-hate-cycling-event-organized-in-response-to-racial-assault-in-annapolis-august-23-2024/
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Publish date : 2024-08-16 01:28:44
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