Critical Mass always draws heated responses even in cycling forums. Can you imagine what it does in car forums? All I know is that when you are a commuter riding to work the day after a Critical mass ride the drivers seem even less friendly than they do before. It doesn’t seem to cause the safe effect in San Diego but I understand the Critical Mass rides are very late at night and on some kind of planned route.
As far as the police tactics go, I have been to car rallies in places like the Pomona fairgrounds and the police are there in force. If the car is lowered too far you can and will be cited. If you drive on the city street with the under car neon lights you will be cited. If your exhaust is too loud you will be cited. Tinted front driver side and passenger side windows will get you cited. So these particular cyclists aren’t being discriminated against any more than car clubs and motorcycle clubs.