the timboucher experience

My friend Aron in NYC recently had a shitty experience with an activist group there called Times Up. This is a letter which he sent them about his experience, and which he cc’ed me on. I thought it was worthy of being spread far and wide…

Times Up: Craven, Conceited, Panty-Waist Excuses for Activists

So, you have succeeded in insulting me more today than I have even
been in my entire life.

You know, if you are interested in creating a non-profit, community
based, volunteer bicycle advocate group, the first thing you should
NOT do is accuse it’s participants of being undercover police
officers. That is essentially what was done to me today by Brandon
(?), apparently at the urging of unknown others while I was waiting to
participate in the Welding Workshop.

I guess my mistake was in actually taking an interest in the Bike Bloc
activities planned for the RNC week and attending two of the
“trainings”, which were open to all and posted on you website. At any
rate, it was enough to give a “vibe”. I wonder what it was exactly?
The questions I asked when others asked none? Was it because I said I
was in Seattle for the WTO? Was my hair too short? Do I not have
enough tattoos? I guess none of it matters when voodoo “vibes” are
concerned.

I was in disbelief when confronted. Brandon said that unless I could
produce someone who could “vouch” for me, then I would be asked to
leave - I wouldn’t even be able to do the Welding Workshop. I feel
ashamed now for even trying to think of someone to vouch for me,
because at that moment it knew was over for me. At that moment I
realized I was dealing with people who had waltzed right into and
embraced the culture of fear that is being insidiously woven around us
everyday. You aren’t doing anything terribly earth shattering or even
illegal - what exactly are you afraid of? Spending the night in jail?
Giving away your secret plans? Allowing some car-kicking lunatic into
your fortress of solitude? Are you not creative or courageous enough
to deal with these things as the need arises? I can only assume that you
are not. I am disgusted and want no part of it.

I took interest in your organization because I had recently turned a
new leaf as far as bicycling (I hate cars…used to be a motorcyclist,
but now bike to work from Brooklyn everyday) and it appealed to my
belief in mutual aid, cooperation and anarchism. I guess I was duped.
If it is true that you are associated with Recycle a Bike, I kind of
wish now that my girlfriend and I had not donated 6 bikes to you last
month.

As always, I am left to my own individual devices when it comes to
protest and ideals. I can look myself in the mirror and say that
individually, I am doing a pretty good job - I really don’t need to
feel part of group or majority. I find myself wondering if you guys
pay taxes, subsidizing the grand opera of death, destruction and
injustice that is the antithesis of what you espouse.

I am reminded of a quote by Emma Goldman that seems appropriate for
your little club: “The majority cares little for ideals and integrity.
What it craves is display.”

Well, that helped. I feel better now. I wish all of your members could
read this.

Fuck You,

Aron Ahlstrom

Post Script: You might want to take down your website lest it attract
more undesirables.

• Informer, a licky boom boom down
• Snowing in NYC
• On Hiatus
• Envi-wrong-mental Study
• Hide your valuables in this bear.