4 arrested for defying San Francisco's nudity ban

San Francisco police make arrests for being naked in public Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, in front of City Hall in San Francisco. / AP Photo/Ben Margot

SAN FRANCISCO Four protesters were arrested entirely in the buff as they took to the steps of San Francisco City Hall in a brazen challenge of the city's ban on public nudity on Friday, the first day it went into effect.

One woman and three men — one wearing just a mesh thong — were taken into custody as about a dozen other protesters in various states of undress paraded around with painted slogans on their bodies, holding up signs with messages such as "The Human Body is Beautiful."

Police gave them a 15-minute warning to disperse or put pants on before officers arrested those who failed to cover themselves. The protesters said their arrest would advance the cause of "body freedom."

"No matter what, we're going to continue practicing body freedom," said Gypsy Taub, a mother of two who hosts a local cable program devoted to the nudist cause. "In a society that's repressed and crazy, that glorifies war and at the same time criminalizes the human body ... nudity is a political statement."

In December, the Board of Supervisors voted 7-4 in favor of the ordinance, which prohibits exposed genitals in most public places, including streets, sidewalks and public transit. A federal judge ruled Tuesday that nudity was not protected free speech and upheld San Francisco's ban on most displays of public nudity.

Protesters vowed to appeal the judge's decision.

Police spokesman Albie Esparza said the arrests were simply an attempt to enforce compliance with the law, which the city enacted after residents complained about people in various stages of undress.

"We're not here to arrest and cite people if we don't have to, but if we have to, we will enforce the law," he said. "We want to admonish as many people as possible and try to gain compliance."

Activists challenging the measure also had argued that the ordinance was unfair because it grants exceptions for nudity at permitted public events such as the city's gay pride parade. They complained that forcing people to cover up would undermine San Francisco's reputation as a city without inhibitions.

[PourpaixPourpaix]

OK, I get it. Nude is not lewd. But since I don't frequent strip bars or porn sites, pretty much any nudity I see is rather disgusting and unwelcome. Please ladies and gentlemen, please keep your tents on?

[Razmataz63]

nude is not lewd, but it's certainly inappropriate under these circumstances.

[jeffkro]

I think the problem with San Francisco's pulbic nudity is that it was primarily old gay men. If they could have included a higher percentage of hot 20 something women it would have gone over great. :)

[AllConsiderations]

I used to dream about visiting San Francisco, seeing museums, eating giod food. No longer. I will choose another destination where the locals are not so invasive and selfish.

[crankyoleman]

My eyes! My eyes!

[judymar14]

Not much is left to the imagination with the itty-bitty bikini and 'trunks' worn now. Though some women/men would look better without bikini/trunks, no fat squeezed out over the bottoms and boobs falling out the top, let it all hand down.

[usaoutsider]

Nudity should be made compulsory throughout the USA.

It would make it obvious who is carrying guns and therefore reduce gun crime.

[jeffkro]

Uh, huh. Obviously haven't spent much time in Montana or North Dakota.

[qc-canada]

Good point!

[phydeux2]

The problem here is ACTIVISTS. There's one for every cause, and they feel they have the moral right to inflict their views on the rest of us. Personally, I don't want to see other people's junk and flab. And I don't particularly enjoy the idea of their fecal bacteria being left on public seats. So go be naked in your home activists... and let the rest of society live a more modest and clean life in public.

[jeffkro]

I don't want to see fat people who don't take care of themselves. I still think they have the right to be out in public though. :)

[Goldwater64s6]

What would Jesus do?

[realtimecoffee]

Let people rot in their own fleshbags. That is what Jesus did. That and hang out with ****** and tax collectors. "The poor we will always have with us..."

[democracy8]

If you want to be nude in your own home or in designated areas such as nude beaches, fine. The rest of us don't need to see your junk.

[Jonseen]

Exactly.