You don't need permission to ride your bikes. You need permission to have a parade which ignores traffic laws and traffic signs and signals. You need a closed off area to engage in reckless behavior which is a danger to yourself and others.
My understanding is that this group routinely gathers to do stunts on city streets in traffic. They often split the lanes, which I believe is legal in New York, but they also split the lanes going the opposite direction of traffic on the left side of the street, which is not legal anywhere.
Videos posted online by members of this group show multiple instances of illegal and dangerous behavior. Since the riders have face-concealing helmets, no license plates, and can elude police, they do whatever they want.
It is sad that one member of this group was severely injured when others attacked the vehicle after yet another member caused a collision.
If I am surrounded by an angry mob beating on my car and trying to open the doors, I am not going to sit there and hope they just want my insurance information.
