Bobx23456
07-17-2007, 10:18 AM
I found this on another forum. I haven't seen this news posted here.
-----------------------------------------------
Post your comments on this article here:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/soundoff/comment.asp?articleID=323940 (http://seattlepi)
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/323940_naked17.html (http://seattlepi)
Seattle police arrest naked bike riders
City's tolerance changing, cyclists say
Last updated July 16, 2007 9:34 p.m. PT
By LEVI PULKKINEN
P-I REPORTER
It's not easy being nude or painted in tiger stripes if you're a
Seattle cyclist-protester.
Three of the 57 participants in the Seattle Naked Bike Ride --
including one stripped, stripy Oak Harbor woman -- were arrested
Saturday as they streaked into Seward Park.
The bare bicyclists were released from Seattle police custody hours
later after being cited for indecent exposure, a misdemeanor. But
festival organizers say the arrests may mark a change in the city's
usual tolerance of bipedal nakedness.
"Seattle has never had a problem with this ride," said Daniel
Johnson, who's been organizing the event since 2003. "This is what
happens when there's a communication failure."
Johnson said he believes the arrests were made in part because the
Seattle Parks and Recreation Department is trying to discourage
events that include nudity, a charge the department denies.
Like similar events around the world, the Seattle naked ride is aimed
at raising awareness of how "exposed" people are to pollution,
Johnson said. He said the naked riders also draw attention to
bicycling and the beauty of the human body.
Organizers of the bike ride -- a daylong event beginning in Fairview
Park and circling through much of the city before returning to the
starting point -- received a permit for use of Fairview Park. But
Johnson said parks officials told him he didn't need permits to use
the Seattle Center or the seven other public parks riders traveled
through.
"That surprised me, because they knew we probably wouldn't be wearing
clothes," Johnson said.
Parks and Recreation spokeswoman Dewey Potter said the department has
not changed its stance on public nudity.
Under Washington law, Potter said, a person can be naked in public as
long as no one is offended. The parks department doesn't issue
permits for nakedness, but it doesn't necessarily bar it, either.
"In the state of Washington, it's not illegal to be nude, per se," ,"
Potter said. "What's illegal is to provoke someone or upset them in
some way."
During Saturday's ride, police received complaints from several
people, including a 12-year-old girl, who'd seen the stream of
brightly painted bodies rolling through Seattle streets and trails,
according to police statements.
An officer first contacted the naked riders just before the ride
began at Fairview Park after receiving a report of a naked man
walking on Fairview Avenue. In a report, the officer said the riders
were told arrests would be made if more complaints were received.
Marte Kinder, an Australian who's participated in naked rides around
the world, said riders are usually well received.
Riding through Seattle Saturday, riders were usually met with
support, Kinder said.
"It cheers people up," Kinder said. "We're not one of the events that
marches down the street and has something negative to talk about."
Johnson said he expects to host another naked ride next July.
P-I reporter Levi Pulkkinen can be reached at 206-448-8348 or
levipulkkinen@ seattlepi. com.
-----------------------------------------------
Post your comments on this article here:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/soundoff/comment.asp?articleID=323940 (http://seattlepi)
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/323940_naked17.html (http://seattlepi)
Seattle police arrest naked bike riders
City's tolerance changing, cyclists say
Last updated July 16, 2007 9:34 p.m. PT
By LEVI PULKKINEN
P-I REPORTER
It's not easy being nude or painted in tiger stripes if you're a
Seattle cyclist-protester.
Three of the 57 participants in the Seattle Naked Bike Ride --
including one stripped, stripy Oak Harbor woman -- were arrested
Saturday as they streaked into Seward Park.
The bare bicyclists were released from Seattle police custody hours
later after being cited for indecent exposure, a misdemeanor. But
festival organizers say the arrests may mark a change in the city's
usual tolerance of bipedal nakedness.
"Seattle has never had a problem with this ride," said Daniel
Johnson, who's been organizing the event since 2003. "This is what
happens when there's a communication failure."
Johnson said he believes the arrests were made in part because the
Seattle Parks and Recreation Department is trying to discourage
events that include nudity, a charge the department denies.
Like similar events around the world, the Seattle naked ride is aimed
at raising awareness of how "exposed" people are to pollution,
Johnson said. He said the naked riders also draw attention to
bicycling and the beauty of the human body.
Organizers of the bike ride -- a daylong event beginning in Fairview
Park and circling through much of the city before returning to the
starting point -- received a permit for use of Fairview Park. But
Johnson said parks officials told him he didn't need permits to use
the Seattle Center or the seven other public parks riders traveled
through.
"That surprised me, because they knew we probably wouldn't be wearing
clothes," Johnson said.
Parks and Recreation spokeswoman Dewey Potter said the department has
not changed its stance on public nudity.
Under Washington law, Potter said, a person can be naked in public as
long as no one is offended. The parks department doesn't issue
permits for nakedness, but it doesn't necessarily bar it, either.
"In the state of Washington, it's not illegal to be nude, per se," ,"
Potter said. "What's illegal is to provoke someone or upset them in
some way."
During Saturday's ride, police received complaints from several
people, including a 12-year-old girl, who'd seen the stream of
brightly painted bodies rolling through Seattle streets and trails,
according to police statements.
An officer first contacted the naked riders just before the ride
began at Fairview Park after receiving a report of a naked man
walking on Fairview Avenue. In a report, the officer said the riders
were told arrests would be made if more complaints were received.
Marte Kinder, an Australian who's participated in naked rides around
the world, said riders are usually well received.
Riding through Seattle Saturday, riders were usually met with
support, Kinder said.
"It cheers people up," Kinder said. "We're not one of the events that
marches down the street and has something negative to talk about."
Johnson said he expects to host another naked ride next July.
P-I reporter Levi Pulkkinen can be reached at 206-448-8348 or
levipulkkinen@ seattlepi. com.