Same campaign, different country

[KeyboardRider]

From Israel, where the compulsory insurance (equivalent to the ACC levy) was raised today 15 November from around NZ$1500 to NZ$2000 (No, it's not a typo. This is the flat rate for a bike larger than 250cc)…

Links to the two main news sites (in Hebrew):
http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART1/9...loc=3&tmp=7439
and:
http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3805068,00.html

The main campaign forum can be found here with a lot of pictures of today’s protest ride (site is in Hebrew):
http://www.tapuz.co.il/Forums2008/Fo...?ForumId=8&r=1

Here is one image for example:
http://img2.timg.co.il/forums/1_135702211.jpg

The Israeli motorcycle club is engaged for a long time now in this campaign, trying to cancel the “reform” including lobbying the “Polies” and coordinating demonstration rides. The treasury has offered some insulting compromise (mainly for riders over 50YO). The minister himself was not willing to meet with rider’s representatives (probably forgot that he was elected by somebody sometime ago…).

The above links describe today’s protest ride of thousands of motorcyclists that blocked the main traffic arteries in the centre of Israel (Tel Aviv area). Motorists stood for a few hours in traffic jams and were very annoyed. Police tried to stop riders before the intersections that lead to these main roads and even handed tickets, but they were not able to fully stop the riders (and mind you, it takes very few riders to ride at 15kph in front of the cagers and block the traffic, and there are not enough policemen to prevent them from doing so :-))

Actually, as the campaign in Israel runs for a very long time (a few months before the NZ one), it was surprising to read the NZ pro’s and con’s as they are identical in both cases. The Israeli campaign had a few protest rides, and from ride to ride more motorcyclists joined (as it started on the internet forum, and most riders do not read or write in that forum, so media coverage and circulars handed out helped in recruitment of many more riders). Organizers also learned from event to event how to adapt and change strategies, trying not to confront directly with the police, as this is not the aim of the campaign.
The main lesson: the police is notified that there will be an event (and they can read about it in the forum itself), however not all groups of riders meet at the same places, or at the same time…

As the matter was not resolved, the Motorcycle club plans to escalate the campaign (maybe once a week traffic jams on that scale or something similar on the way to Jerusalem, on the day the MPs meet, or just supply an “escort” ride to the Treasury minister :-))

Hope you enjoy the pics!!

Keyboard rider

[Reckless]

Good find Keyboard rider!

Looks like a sister city brotherhood forming!
You should send them pics of ours or a link of our local one then some of the Bikoi.

I sincerely hope we have the balls to keep at it, like them, over time!

If they're struggle is anything to go by looks like I might have to print my FCKACC jpg off Sarges sig (and attached) printed and laminated for over my plate when all that shit starts!!

Bring it on NATIONAL !!!

[KeyboardRider]

Good find Keyboard rider!

Looks like a sister city brotherhood forming!
You should send them pics of ours or a link of our local one then some of the Bikoi.

I sincerely hope we have the balls to keep at it, like them, over time!

If they're struggle is anything to go by looks like I might have to print my FCKACC jpg off Sarges sig (and attached) printed and laminated for over my plate when all that shit starts!!

Bring it on NATIONAL !!!

In total there were about 6,000 riders that participated today :-))

Here is another website - just watch the pics:
http://www.fullgaz.co.il/xpages/article.php?i=47087

I think that we can learn a lot, as they are trying all kinds of strategies before we do it here, so we can see what is effective and what's not.
Until now the police over there was relatively calm (although there were a few violent incidents), as bikers were warned by the organizers that clashes with the police are not the aim, and so far most of police officers seem to support the campaign.
Not sure what will happen next, but it's sure going to be interesting.

Good night,
Keyboard Rider

[Reckless]

Ixion is probably really busy at the moment but after the Bikoi make sure he sees this web site! As you say it could help us not trying something that won't work.
I know there's a few here (incl me to a certain degree) that think this softly softly approach (like not even riding to Parliament grounds) is a bit weak. But I can't go so should put up or shut-up.
All have gone along with it because of the intuition and recommendation of those in charge. Mainly to get the general public onside a bit I think! Although there where a few motorists on the Auck ride on Sat that didn't share our pain but wanted to inflict it LOL!!!

Shit your up late mate I've just finished a big renovation plan ready for my client at 9:30am tomorrow! So I'll catch you later.

[peasea]

From Israel, where the compulsory insurance (equivalent to the ACC levy) was raised today 15 November from around NZ$1500 to NZ$2000 (No, it's not a typo. This is the flat rate for a bike larger than 250cc)…

Links to the two main news sites (in Hebrew):
http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART1/9...loc=3&tmp=7439
and:
http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3805068,00.html

The main campaign forum can be found here with a lot of pictures of today’s protest ride (site is in Hebrew):
http://www.tapuz.co.il/Forums2008/Fo...?ForumId=8&r=1

Here is one image for example:
http://img2.timg.co.il/forums/1_135702211.jpg

The Israeli motorcycle club is engaged for a long time now in this campaign, trying to cancel the “reform” including lobbying the “Polies” and coordinating demonstration rides. The treasury has offered some insulting compromise (mainly for riders over 50YO). The minister himself was not willing to meet with rider’s representatives (probably forgot that he was elected by somebody sometime ago…).

The above links describe today’s protest ride of thousands of motorcyclists that blocked the main traffic arteries in the centre of Israel (Tel Aviv area). Motorists stood for a few hours in traffic jams and were very annoyed. Police tried to stop riders before the intersections that lead to these main roads and even handed tickets, but they were not able to fully stop the riders (and mind you, it takes very few riders to ride at 15kph in front of the cagers and block the traffic, and there are not enough policemen to prevent them from doing so :-))

Actually, as the campaign in Israel runs for a very long time (a few months before the NZ one), it was surprising to read the NZ pro’s and con’s as they are identical in both cases. The Israeli campaign had a few protest rides, and from ride to ride more motorcyclists joined (as it started on the internet forum, and most riders do not read or write in that forum, so media coverage and circulars handed out helped in recruitment of many more riders). Organizers also learned from event to event how to adapt and change strategies, trying not to confront directly with the police, as this is not the aim of the campaign.
The main lesson: the police is notified that there will be an event (and they can read about it in the forum itself), however not all groups of riders meet at the same places, or at the same time…

As the matter was not resolved, the Motorcycle club plans to escalate the campaign (maybe once a week traffic jams on that scale or something similar on the way to Jerusalem, on the day the MPs meet, or just supply an “escort” ride to the Treasury minister :-))

Hope you enjoy the pics!!

Keyboard rider

Do you mind if I forward those links to my MP? (Nick Smith.)

If he doesn't pull his head in by the end of the week, that is.

[KeyboardRider]

Hey guys,
Thanks for the support, we’re all in the same S@#t as it seams...

I’ll wait till tomorrow to post on the Israeli site the Kiwi protest ride.
Here is a link to the thread that sums all the media coverage of the Israeli protest (in Hebrew):
http://www.fullgaz.co.il/xpages/article.php?i=47091

Meanwhile, back in Israel the police claims it handed 800 tickes on “slow riding” and “order disturbance”. However the “Professors” in blue, did not anticipate the following: nobody is going to pay the tickets, but instead people are going to ask for a trial. This in turn will completely block the courts for a very long period, and because the police was documented blocking the traffic, a biker can claim that the police caused him to ride slowly, and most chances are that he will walk away free…

Personally I think that the protest should involve also cagers, and demand a flat rate for all motorists, no matter what they ride or drive. If that is done we can have a very wide support, and that is something that can make the politicians reconsider their moves, as after all – we put them there to work for us and not vice versa.

Regarding the “softy, softy” attitude: pure violence might bring immediate satisfaction, however it will not bring somebody too far, as then the authorities will happily throw in the police at us. From a life long experience, before choosing any drastic ways of operation, one should always exhaust all other possibilities, so that nobody will say “you didn’t try this and that…”

Anyway, I’ll try to keep this thread updated when interesting stuff from Israel comes up.

Good night, and good luck to all participants in our Wellington protest ride, and ride safe!

Keyboard Rider

[Reckless]

Regarding the “softy, softy” attitude: pure violence might bring immediate satisfaction, however it will not bring somebody too far,

Nobody (especially me) is advocating any "pure violence" whatsoever my friend.
I was only suggesting perhaps we shouldn't be parking where they put us in Wellington! It is a protest after all. I was only leaning towards what we saw on the sites you posted but I suppose patience is the wiser choice at the moment. If we get no concessions I imagine the protests will ramp up to what is happening in Israel. I think there may be quite a few bikers restraining themselves at the mo LOL!!!

As you say good luck to Ixion and all the Riders!!! I'm very brassed off I couldn't go!

[mikeey01]

Here is one image for example:
http://img2.timg.co.il/forums/1_135702211.jpg
Keyboard rider

I like that pic, it says a lot.
It should be forwarded onto those who need to see it, the fear of the unknown should never be under estimated!

[KeyboardRider]

Why do I bother to update this thread?
Mainly as I think that we might learn something, or see if something we want to do was already tried and tested in another place, and what might be the possible outcomes of such moves.

Sooo…
1. All tickets given at the protest ride (15 November) were cancelled after the Israeli police realized they will not stand in court.

2. Influential politicians are now targeted: the Treasury minister had to be smuggled out through a backdoor after attending some fancy private function in Tel Aviv Museum, after about 50 bikers appeared mysteriously and wanted to join the function.

3. And most important: according to a report from an Israeli news channel: “someone” bought 10,000 Likud party registration forms (the party currently in power, and the equivalent to NZ’s National)

Apparently, according to this thread:
http://www.tapuz.co.il/Forums2008/Vi...=135977444&r=1
…these are the bikers that run the Israeli protest campaign :-))

Now, I don’t know about NZ, but in Israel, if 10,000 people with the same agenda decide to join a party, they can influence it from within, and actually pass whatever they like as party members, including which party members will be elected into parliament next session. I am sure the Israeli prime minister is happy. Very happy :-))

Anyway, that’s it for now,
See ya’ all 5 December in ChCh, if I won’t have any other updates before.

Good day to all of you, and ride safe!
Keyboard Rider

[twistemotion]

Very interesting. Thanks for the info KeyboardRider, hopefully we can learn something from those guys. It's just a pity my Hebrew knowledge is non-existent.

[aahsv]

more bike protests

http://www.notobikeparkingtax.com/

[mashman]

everyone remembers a protest at one time or another, we must be an agrieved bunch

[p.dath]

3. And most important: according to a report from an Israeli news channel: “someone” bought 10,000 Likud party registration forms (the party currently in power, and the equivalent to NZ’s National)

That is an incredible idea. Any idea how many party members National has?

Any idea what percentage of votes would be required for a vote of no confidence in key members of the party?

[Reckless]

It is a good idea I wonder if we are orgainised enough to pull it off!

I suspect a large number of us even voted national last time and we are angry enough as a group to actually make this work!!

[KeyboardRider]

The whole point is, that you do not need to vote national, you can be enrolled as a party member in order to promote your own business from within, but vote for another party come election time http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/im...s/msn-wink.gif
Sometimes this is called a Trojan.

Regarding Israel, as far as I understand, they mean to enroll into specific influential branches and take them over (and who knows, maybe convince non-bikers to join), then have the influence on party MP election.

Ride safe,
Keyboard rider