If you like to walk around naked, don’t try it in Ashland anymore: The city council there has enacted a ban on public nudity.
The council adopted the citywide ban Tuesday night by a 4-2 vote despite a warning from the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union that it violates the Oregon Constitution’s protection of free speech.
According to council members, the new ordinance prohibits nude political demonstrations like a “Buns Not Bombs” event held to protest the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and a naked bike ride that protested global warming and the use of fossil fuels. Violators will face a $180 fine.
Oregon ACLU Executive Director David Fidanque sent a letter to the city stating that the “ACLU believes the proposed ordinance is unconstitutional and would be overturned by the courts. We urge you to reject it.”
In 1985 the Oregon Court of Appeals upheld a Portland ban on public nudity but said that nudity as a political statement could be protected under the state constitution and each case should be considered individually.
Five years ago Ashland enacted a ban on the public display of genitalia downtown and in parks, but “[p]ublic nudity became a major issue again in 2009 after two men, one from California and one from Minnesota, walked naked near Ashland schools,” according to the Ashland Daily Tidings.
“With its previous ban on nudity … Ashland attracted out-of-state nudists and was ridiculed by Fox News for allowing public nudity,” the Tidings wrote.
We’ll have to wait and see how this thing plays out in the courts, but my sense is that the ban is too broadly written to survive a constitutional challenge.
Meanwhile, I’m wondering why Bend has never had to deal with a public nudity problem. Probably it’s because, except for about two weeks in July and August, it’s just too frickin’ cold here to parade around in the buff.
This article appears in Jan 7-13, 2010.
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“…except for about two weeks in July and August, it's just too frickin' cold here to parade around in the buff.”
That still gives me two weeks. And last summer, it felt so nice out that I decided to leave it out all day.
Ba-da BUMP!
I’m glad they did the ban. and hope they fire the two that voted for nudity. i see there is four that have right thinking!!!!!!!!!
My in-laws live is Ashland and, according to them, nobody really cares about the nude folks except a couple of histrionic Calibangers that moved there a couple years ago. They got all in a fluff about a lady that was walking around topless, which was then followed by an old dude who got naked on the outskirts of downtown. Nobody really cared, it’s just another made-up problem that’s getting way too much attention.
Slacker….
“Histrionic Calibangers” …Please explain.
I am from Cali,, and am all for freedom of expression.
slacker, then why do they arrest people for flipping there coats open?? why would they arrest people for being naked, same thing to me. arrest those weirddooos that undress in public or are naked period………
Histrionic Calibangers: Equity locusts from socially and politically conservative upscale Southern California subdivisions who bring their preconcieved notions about what is socially inappropriate behavior to their new socially and politically progressive hometown in Oregon, where nobody really cared before about the occasional topless lady (she was just known as ‘the topless lady”) or the naked man (known as the “naked old dude.”)
Mister, they are arresting them because when you get enough histrionic Calibangers together, they can’t help but complain about the social mores of their new hometown. Nor can they help but complain about the lack of culture/arts, fancy restaurants, or strictly enforced CC&Rs.
I find it odd that people get so fussed up over seeing a naked person. If it weren’t for clothes, we would all be naked.
Well, chalk one up for ‘freedom of expression’ biting itself in the a$$.
Seems to me this article has brought on comments from both sides of the fence…. way away from the fence.
We were all born naked, and will be put into the ground half naked… but to live naked when having an uptight neighbor is indecent.
I would not want my little girl to see a naked man walking around in public,, there is a time of life for that kind of awakening,, but if one is out away from ‘public eye’ (or,, is it pubic eye’) and wishes to sun their bum,, they should be able to.
“Five years ago Ashland enacted a ban on the public display of genitalia downtown and in parks, but “[p]ublic nudity became a major issue again in 2009 after two men, one from California and one from Minnesota, walked naked near Ashland schools,” according to the Ashland Daily Tidings.”
…yes,, THAT’s an issue!! and,, Yes.. ONE of them was a Californian… just keep in mind that not all ‘Calibangers’ are native Californians,, over half of Cali’s population is from all over the world.
That’s why I left.
Next up folks is: men wearing speedos at the public pool… update coming soon.
warm up your keyboards!
And another thing…
‘Histrionic’ is simply hysterics… to lump one group of staters like Californians, Oregonians,, or New Yorkers, etc, etc.. is just plain ludicrous,, we are not all native of where we live, not by a long shot.
And… -shouldn’t this article have been titled “Ahsland council FRONTS cover up”? ..just an insightful thought, not to many nudists heed the ban, do they?
MGM…you clearly have some unresolved issues about the fact that you came to Oregon from California. That being said, you will notice that I did not identify the actual naked person as being a Calibanger, I identified the people who complained about it as Calibangers. And you will also notice that I did not lump all California transplants into the Calibanger group…only those California transplants that come to Oregon (or elsewhere) and try to force the values and norms of the place they left on the place they have moved to.
Umm Slacker…. the only unresolved issues I have are the Cali haters I find here in the comment section, and on the road… (Shaking head on THAT one!!)
I did not intend on conveying that you said the naked person was a Calibanger… in fact, read my comment again, I should not have to explain myself there.
I indeed got it that you said the complainers were Calibangers… in fact, that is why i asked for your clarification,, it is the histrionic part of the comment I attacked… -Calling one a Calibanger is lumping, pure and simple,, add to that the histrionic comment and that shoves your lump right on over towards hysteria.
-Reach for the flusher.
I am not trying force any values on you or anyone else,, however I do stand up for those being called names whom do not deserve it.
I moved here to get away from the lunacy, not spread it,, however it seems to be here too…. all states have their isms,, Oregon is certainly not immune to that.
Express thyself dutifully,
Wave with all fingers.
Slacker..
I did not attack you personally, I attacked what you said.. there is a difference.
But, whatever,, your words come at me as flatulence, full of hot air, stinks, and embarrasses only you.
I will always stand up for those whom do not deserve the name calling. That is and will always be my only unresolved issue… haters, they are everywhere.
And, WHERE did I say that you said it “was a ‘Calibanger’ that was running naked”? ..Read my post again… Your name precedes you, slacker.
Heh!!
UNbelievable!!