Here's the legal report:

I appreciate Joseph's appreciation of the police. And I so much
appreciate how riders were so respectful of the police -- it made the
ride go so much smoother.

For instance, as we rounded the last turn from Damen on to Hubbard, a
lone squad car was at the intersection. I rode up to the driver's
side window, and started explaining what was going on. They were
surprised, confused and taken aback by what they saw (they had not
heard about the ride.) It was everything I could do to reassure them
that everything would be alright (we didn't want them going into
arrest mode.)

But riders made a crucial contribution. Many riders, as they passed
us on their bikes, shouted out "Thank you!" to the police officers.
You should have seen the impact of your "Thank you!"s -- I did. With
each friendly greeting from a rider, their faces moved one step
further from anxiety, and one step closer to smiling. It is so hard
to maintain hostility or suspicion for people thanking you. Sure, I
kept talking until they calmed down, and decided to leave us alone.
But it was all those "Thank you!"s from riders which really did the
trick.

Sure, us lawyers do some work to keep the police off your backs. But
you did a lot of the work yourselves. You made the difference.

Another year with zero arrests! Pat yourselves on the back. It is an
honor to represent such a great group of people.

Jerry Boyle
NLG Legal Observer
(the guy in the jacket and tie)