Participants in the World Naked Bike Ride. Undated Photo
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BOULDER, Colo. -
Is it freedom of expression or is it a crime? That is the question in boulder about a naked bike ride scheduled for this Saturday. And police warn it could land some of the riders on a sex offender registry list.
The "World Naked Bike Ride" rolls through 70 cities across the world.
Boulder police on Thursday night warned riders to be careful they don't cross the line into a crime of indecent exposure. That's what 12 runners faced from last Halloween's naked pumpkin run. If convicted they would have been required to register as sex offenders.
"We wanted to be very clear about what our intentions are, because hopefully, it is a big a hassle to go through the criminal justice system. It can have serious consequences," said Sarah Huntley, Boulder Police spokesperson.
"The law they are seeking to enforce is indecent exposure. That essentially says these people are sex criminals and that is not the case," says Judd Golden, with the Boulder chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
Golden says this nakedness is a form of protected free speech. And if people don't like it, they don't have to look.
"Police are treading toward dangerous territory, trying to suppress first amendment activity using this law," says Golden.
"I wouldn't want to view it," says one Boulderite, who didn't want to be identified. But she says no clothing is no crime.
"In Boulder, people do it anyway. Might as well take the police force and put their efforts somewhere else." "I don't think that warrants people being arrested and thrown in jail just because they're naked," says another man on the Pearl Street Mall.
But police say they're just enforcing the laws, which they say clearly state, no exposed genitalia.
"It's not our job to figure out which side is right or to rewrite the laws. It is our job to enforce laws on the books," says Huntley.
None of the 12 naked Pumpkin Runners were convicted of indecent exposure. Most plead to lesser, non-sexual charges.
Police say if riders cover up their private parts with a thong or a jock strap they should be just fine. And women can legally expose their breasts. That's not considered genitalia.
The ride starts at 4 p.m. Saturday on the southside of the Hawthorne Community Gardens.
Denver has its own naked bike ride July 11.
On the web:
http://www.worldnakedbikeride.org/
The "World Naked Bike Ride" rolls through 70 cities across the world.
Boulder police on Thursday night warned riders to be careful they don't cross the line into a crime of indecent exposure. That's what 12 runners faced from last Halloween's naked pumpkin run. If convicted they would have been required to register as sex offenders.
"We wanted to be very clear about what our intentions are, because hopefully, it is a big a hassle to go through the criminal justice system. It can have serious consequences," said Sarah Huntley, Boulder Police spokesperson.
"The law they are seeking to enforce is indecent exposure. That essentially says these people are sex criminals and that is not the case," says Judd Golden, with the Boulder chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
Golden says this nakedness is a form of protected free speech. And if people don't like it, they don't have to look.
"Police are treading toward dangerous territory, trying to suppress first amendment activity using this law," says Golden.
"I wouldn't want to view it," says one Boulderite, who didn't want to be identified. But she says no clothing is no crime.
"In Boulder, people do it anyway. Might as well take the police force and put their efforts somewhere else." "I don't think that warrants people being arrested and thrown in jail just because they're naked," says another man on the Pearl Street Mall.
But police say they're just enforcing the laws, which they say clearly state, no exposed genitalia.
"It's not our job to figure out which side is right or to rewrite the laws. It is our job to enforce laws on the books," says Huntley.
None of the 12 naked Pumpkin Runners were convicted of indecent exposure. Most plead to lesser, non-sexual charges.
Police say if riders cover up their private parts with a thong or a jock strap they should be just fine. And women can legally expose their breasts. That's not considered genitalia.
The ride starts at 4 p.m. Saturday on the southside of the Hawthorne Community Gardens.
Denver has its own naked bike ride July 11.
On the web:
http://www.worldnakedbikeride.org/
