The Naked Artist: April 2005

Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Unrepentant protestor arrives at court naked

An environmental protester facing indecent exposure charges arrived at Auckland's District Court naked -- but dressed before he entered the courtroom on Thursday.

Computer technician Simon Oosterman (24) was charged during the Auckland Naked Bike Ride last Sunday, an event he organised to protest society's dependence on the car.

When Oosterman was stopped by police during the naked bike ride, other protest riders covered the lower parts of their bodies to avoid arrest.

Oosterman and three supporters -- two men and a woman -- stood outside the courthouse naked on Thursday holding a banner reading: "Stop indecent exposure to vehicle emissions."

He then went inside and headed up the escalator, still naked, toward the courtroom.

But he donned his clothes before entering court, where he pleaded not guilty and was released to reappear on March 21.

Outside court Oosterman said he would fight the charge as public nudity was "different from indecent exposure."

"The purpose of the protest was to draw attention to the issue of transport emissions," he said.

"There has to be a distinction between people flashing [nude bodies at] young girls and public nudity, which is benign," he added.

Oosterman said he decided to dress before entering the court room because he didn't want to risk being charged with contempt of court.

A senior sergeant of police who saw the defendant travel naked up the escalator "told me he was grateful I got dressed at the top," Oosterman said. - Sapa-AP

Safe haven for naked yoga

September 23, 2004, 15:45
Nudists, grab your yoga mats and head for San Francisco.

City prosecutors say it is not illegal to perform naked yoga in the city -- even at the crowded tourist destination of Fisherman's Wharf.

Prosecutors dropped charges against a limber nudist, known locally as the "Naked Yoga Guy," who made a habit of striking yoga poses in the buff in order to promote a book and his lifestyle.

The Naked Yoga Guy, whose name is George Monty Davis, had stripped to stretch near Fisherman's Wharf, prompting a public complaint. But prosecutors decided they had a weak public nuisance case against him because local laws do not bar public nudity.

"Simply being naked on the street is not a crime in San Francisco," said Debbie Mesloh, a spokeswoman for the district attorney's office. - Reuter