For those riders in whose states have received funds for safety checkpoints....

OFF THE WIRE
For those riders in whose states have received funds for safety checkpoints.... some handy information how to "deal" with them from Jan of BOLT of North Carolina:

Here are a few ideas to get started:>
> _After the Checkpoint_
> If you can get a team of two people, including a videographer if
> possible, after going through a checkpoint, go down the street to
> where there is a safe place for a few vehicles to pull over. Do it
> far enough away that it is not interfering with the cops, but
> within sight of the people before they get back up to highway
> speed. Have petitions to sign. Have pamphlets, including where to
> go online for more information. Hold up a sign that says, "Fight
> Back Against Checkpoints, Stop here for info." The ideal team
> would have a sign holder, at least one person to hand out
> pamphlets and get people to sign petitions, 2 videographers, a
> lawyer, and a reporter.>
> _At the Scene_
> There are many good videos on YouTube. Make a list of best
> practices and distribute them. Exercise 4th Amendment rights. Get
> their names, badge numbers, and what agency they are with. Ask why
> your travels are interrupted, and remind them that it is a
> violation of your right to travel. Make note of how many LEO are
> seen, what they are wearing, and how many vehicles are on the scene.>
> Note: When putting together a list of recommendations, if you give
> a fact for checkpoint laws in a state, state laws are different,
> so don't present something as fact unless it applies to all states.>
> _Provide tips on Videotaping_
> Send out two video teams. One to film the other one if they are
> harassed. Set up a safe distance away with a good zoom lens. When
> videotaping, if the audio is going to be important, the cameraman
> needs to shut up or narrate in whispers, because they are closer
> to the microphone.>
> _Legislatively:_
> Contact the legislative branch and remind them when the executive
> branch takes authority unto itself absent of legislation, not
> supported by a move from the legislature. Get the executive branch
> and the legislative branch divided against each other. State
> agencies come under the control of the executive branch. Some
> people do not realize there are three branches of government in
> the states, just like there is in federal government.>
> _Research_
> Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/boltusa and search for the
> word checkpoint. There is already a lot of info.>
> _Tell the public not to rely on the ACLU to fight this battle._
> I tried to get the ACLU involved since checkpoints were set up to
> target motorcyclists only. The ACLU is very picky about the fights
> they enter. They will go after checkpoints if the checkpoints are
> targeting a recognized cultural difference; religion, race,
> nationality. (By the way, rather than say motorcycle only
> checkpoints, say motorcyclist...that way the public is reminded
> these are people who have rights rather than objects that have none)>
> _Online checkpoint databases_
> Make a list of resources available online.>
> jan