Cyclist acquitted of charges from Critical Mass rally

Last update: April 14, 2008 - 11:44 PM

A jury declared Critical Mass cyclist Augustin Ganley not guilty Monday of three misdemeanors in connection with a downtown Minneapolis bike rally at which 19 people were arrested last summer.

Ganley, 21, had been charged with assaulting a police officer, obstruction of the legal process with force, and fleeing a police officer during the Aug. 31 ride, a monthly event highlighting the group's opposition to society's heavy use of motor vehicles.

Video footage taken by fellow riders helped clear Ganley of accusations that he punched a police officer, then tried to run away, said his attorney, Jordan Kushner.

In addition to Ganley, a student at the University of Minnesota, a small group of those arrested were charged, including at least two whose cases are still pending, Kushner said.

SARAH LEMAGIE