Naked violinist sues police over arrest in Portland last year

[Rainman]

What would you do if you saw a naked man playing a violin outside a courthouse? If you are a police officer you'd have to arrest that person. That's exactly what happened. The man is now suing the police alleging that the officers used excessive force when making the arrest.

Police showed up after receiving complaints about the demonstration, during which the man played violin, meditated and quoted former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. They said they arrested him for indecent exposure and carried him to a patrol car when he refused to walk.

Mglej claims jail deputies cut his wrists by jerking on his handcuffs and called him names when he cried from the pain . . .

Served him right.

 

[missbishi]

A naked man playing the violin outside a courthouse? That's ridiculously funny! What on earth was he naked for? Was it some sort of protest at all? I suspect this guy was not in his right mind!

 

[Kittyworker]

While not a nudist myself, I think there should be certain areas where Public nudity is accepted. Houston, Australia, Beaches, and the Swimming Pool come to mind. Other places such as restaurants pose a hygiene risk should people be allowed to walk around naked. While I don't think its an appropriate venue to go around nude, I also don't see anything wrong with just playing the violin in the buff. Its not what I would call indecent exposure as hes not really doing anything indecent.

 

[blur92]

The nudity was what was classified as indecent. There are specific, designated places for nudists to go to. Although I do think any ill treatment towards the arrested man is not right, it was appropriate for him to be arrested. What was he expecting? He knew being nude in public was going to get him in trouble. It's something that is not supposed to be done. Again, there are places he can go where he can do this. Outside of the town courthouse is not one of them.

 

[Kittyworker]

The nudity was what was classified as indecent. There are specific, designated places for nudists to go to. Although I do think any ill treatment towards the arrested man is not right, it was appropriate for him to be arrested. What was he expecting? He knew being nude in public was going to get him in trouble. It's something that is not supposed to be done. Again, there are places he can go where he can do this. Outside of the town courthouse is not one of them.

Actually, this occurred in Portland Oregon. In Oregon Public Nudity is legal and considered a form of free speech.
Here is the Oregon Law for Indecent Exposure.

§ 163.465 Public indecency.

(1) A person commits the crime of public indecency if while in, or in view of, a public place the person performs:


     (a) An act of sexual intercourse; or


     (b) An act of deviate sexual intercourse; or


     (c) An act of exposing the genitals of the person with the intent of arousing the sexual desire of the person or another person.

If you are not trying to arouse people or acting in a sexual manner, Its legal to be nude in Oregon.

 

[mrsbright]

Actually, this occurred in Portland Oregon. In Oregon Public Nudity is legal and considered a form of free speech.
Here is the Oregon Law for Indecent Exposure.

§ 163.465 Public indecency.

(1) A person commits the crime of public indecency if while in, or in view of, a public place the person performs:


     (a) An act of sexual intercourse; or


     (b) An act of deviate sexual intercourse; or


     (c) An act of exposing the genitals of the person with the intent of arousing the sexual desire of the person or another person.

If you are not trying to arouse people or acting in a sexual manner, Its legal to be nude in Oregon.

That is so interesting, kittyworker! I had no idea. And I can imagine that the media coverage would leave this part out and making it look like a well deserved arrest and like this person is insane, when actually, the law covers his rights to do so.

But even without this ---

I can imagine that the policemen could have used excessive force and, to be sure, the name calling and insulting would be uncalled for and unprofessional. But leave it to people to side with them just because they have the subjective estimation that the nudist was out of his mind and "deserved" any above-and-beyond disrespect.

 

[Rainman]

A naked man playing the violin outside a courthouse? That's ridiculously funny! What on earth was he naked for? Was it some sort of protest at all? I suspect this guy was not in his right mind!

I wonder how police go about arresting a naked man. Do they slip on latex gloves first? I don't find it strange that those making the arrest actually deliberately 'tortured' him because he'd made the arrest harder than it should have been had he been fully clothed.

 

[mrsbright]

I don't find it strange that those making the arrest actually deliberately 'tortured' him because he'd made the arrest harder than it should have been had he been fully clothed.

And I find it strange how much people want to punish others, just to satiate their own needs for a twisted justice. Either this man was protesting something and not budging was a statement (and if the law really is on his side about nudity, then I'd say even a credible statement), OR he has some sort of mental illness. In either case, police people bullying him just shows a lack of professionalism in my book. Not to be overcritical or anything, but I think there would be nothing wrong with cops getting a bit more knowledge about how to properly handle mental cases, especially since it causes so many problems.

 

[tanker]

The police should not laughed at the naked guy, but then again they are only human. If I would have arrested they guy, I probably would have done exactly the same thing. Running around naked and playing a violin is just asking for trouble.

 

[stevesxs9]

It's the responsibility of the man to know the law and to know that he's breaking the law. If the man was in doubt of the law he was about to break then refrain from doing it until he is certain.

 

[Kittyworker]

I wonder how police go about arresting a naked man. Do they slip on latex gloves first? I don't find it strange that those making the arrest actually deliberately 'tortured' him because he'd made the arrest harder than it should have been had he been fully clothed.

I'm sure that the police responding would be sure that they were wearing some form of glove. They are standard issue incase an officer needs protection from blood or other bodily fluids that might transmit disease.

 

[Kamarsun1]

I agree with you. He needs a mental Doctor to check him out, but he must not be that crazy, he has enough sense to attempt to sue or this. I don't think he will win, but you never no what might happen.