Letter to the Editor: Gabriella Aron

Editor's Note: An article about Aron's arrest is available here.

On Friday, Sept. 30 at 6 p.m., a group of cyclists and myself were riding through New Brunswick with similar goals and intentions; More bikes, less cars! Critical Mass is the name of this nationwide demonstration.

We turned on to Hamilton, then made left on to George Street past the Douglas Campus center, circled the roundabout a few times, and then made our way back down George street, towards Commercial Ave. We arrived at the intersection of George and Commercial, and saw a group of peaceful protesters holding hands in the middle of the intersection, holding up traffic, in commemoration of Barry Deloatch, who was killed in New Brunswick a few days ago. This is a commemoration and demonstration that I personally believe in, and I was glad to stand by in support of my community, and the tragedy.

A handful of cyclist were also riding along side this demonstration, while the rest of the bikers rode back to campus. As we got closer to the intersection of Handy and Throop street, we stood around a window, and someone was explaining that there was a poster of Barry in a window, and an angry individual (we don't know who) cut open the screen window and pulled out the poster. In a matter of minutes, police cars and three large vans pulled up and unloaded, wearing full body protection, carrying plastic zip tie handcuffs, also guns in holsters. There were about 30 of us on the corner, and I was standing in the street with my bicycle, about four feet from the sidewalk, when they pulled in. Not to mention, there were about 20+ officers to about 30 people, some being very young children.

They told me I was obstructing traffic flow, while their vans and s.u.v's were clearly in the roadway that traffic flow was supposed to be going through. I was not obstructing any traffic, and I'm pretty sure there is no law stating that a cyclist has to be on the sidewalk at all times. I also felt that I needed to stand my ground, I was not a threat to anyone or anything, I did not need to follow orders from a police officer, their assistance was not necessary, assisting or compassionate towards us. Also, none of these officer looked familiar or kind to me at all, and were very intimidating to myself, the other protesters, and then children that were present.

After they handcuffed and arrested me, I was clearly saying "These handcuffs are way too tight, These handcuffs are hurting me."

Another officer replied "We can't loosen them".

They put me into the police van, where I was along side another demonstrator who had also been arrested for obstructing traffic.

Once we got to the police station, I was greeted by a higher ranked police officer wearing a white uniform, who was directly yelling at me to "Come here now", and I replied, "I am waiting for my friend to get out of the van before I go anywhere" and he physically came over to me and took me along.

They asked my name, I told them, I continually asked what was going on, why am I here, and no one was answering my questions. I then told them I do not give them permission to go through my backpack, or my wallet, and they replied, "You are under arrest, it doesn't matter if you give permission or not".

They then assisted me to the back of the building where the jail cells are. They told me they had to process me and fill out paperwork, and I asked what does that all mean. No responses, very vague, told me I should know that being a 19-year old college student.

I resisted to go into the cell, it smelled like bleach and there was dry blood on the sink. Mind you I still have the plastic cuffs on. A few of the officers who were assisting me to the cell were getting impatient with my questions, so they physically put me in the cell. They also told me that if I wanted to keep talking, there is a camera and microphone in the jail cell that I can speak into all I want; Which I did. I asked for water a number of five times, I heard officers walking down the hallway, no answer to my request.

After about 25 minutes of me speaking directly into the camera, practicing no-handed yoga, meditation, singing and rapping, two officers came in and used their knife to cut my cuffs off so I could drink water out of the sink. They then told me that I was still being processed, and it will take 45 minuted to an hour to complete, and requested that I sit calmly.

I sat calmly, practiced Reiki, and waited patiently for this to be over with. A few minutes later, an officer came in and asked me if I wanted to speak with my attorney, and I replied "I have an attorney? Who is she?". No clear answers, I didn't know I had an attorney. I was escorted out of the cell shortly after that, and was escorted out of the building with my charge and court date. The demonstrators were waiting outside, and I told them I was okay.

Overall, my experience was not pleasant, and I found the police officers impersonal and neglectful of the children present, and the community who actually live here in New Brunswick. I now feel that the children in the neighborhood will not feel safe when police are present. Expressing your feelings and opinions is not illegal. I was willing to communicate with the police officers during their presence, but they only spoke when convenient to them. I think this is a great opportunity for the community to develop a better relationship with our supposed "Hometown heroes".