Before Michael Hammond was arrested for riding his bike naked on NE Alberta during June’s Last Thursday festival, he was making a statement about “air pollution, crowded streets, having been hit by cars… the war in Iraq, the old way of thinking, living in a capitalist police state, oil consumption, and anything that doesn’t support the human body.”
At least, those are some of the reasons 21-year-old Hammond gave Deputy District Attorney Ryan Lufkin on Monday, November 10, defending himself against a charge of indecent exposure.
Lufkin had already declined to prosecute Hammond on assault and resisting arrest charges, and offered him 24 hours community service in exchange for dismissing the indecency charge, but Hammond was insistent about his right to ride naked up the street at 10:30 that night.
In Oregon, indecent exposure only covers the intent to induce arousal in public, but Hammond claims he did not know about the City of Portland’s stricter indecent exposure ordinance, which makes it illegal to expose one’s genitalia “in view of a public place open and available to persons of the opposite sex.”
Hammond’s defense lawyer, Tiffany Harris, tried to make the case that since Hammond had participated in the World Naked Bike Ride 12 days before his arrest, and that Last Thursday is traditionally an event for artistic expression, Hammond’s ride amounted to an act of constitutionally protected free expression. Or, as Hammond put it: “It wasn’t streaking. Streaking is more juvenile. We’re not trying to disrupt the high school football game, we wanted to display being free.”
The hearing will continue this Wednesday, November 12, with Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Jerome LaBarre expected to rule by the end of the week.
“I think this is a perfect demonstration of the way in which we’re called upon to defend the Constitution in instances that can be mundane, and people don’t necessarily behave in a way that can be perceived as historic or headline making,” Harris said. “But even acts that can be perceived as impish or even obnoxious are entitled to protection under the Constitution. And if we can’t get it right in small cases like this, what hope do we have?”
Hammond’s right up there with MLK. Give me a f-ing break. What is someone at the Mercury dating this little needle dick?
Victory! Judge LaBarre ruled that in this particular circumstances Mr. Hammond had the right o express himself in this manner.
Apparently he has no problem with the oil that goes toward allowing that bike to operate, the massive mining conglomerates that dig up the iron ore that creates the steel that constitutes that bike, the 400 ton CAT haul trucks that move the iron ore, the facilities that process that iron ore into steel or the capitalist society that supports that process… oh wait, that’s what he was protesting.
My support of his rights is in direct conflict with my desire to not see him nekkid in public.
venzetti–
What’s it to you? Is your best critique a junior high quality sob? Bicycle production (while totally not sustainable long term) is NOT the problem when it comes to oil production. It’s in fact, the military, and industrialization that’s to blame. Not even consumers make up a majority of energy consumption. But it doesn’t sound much like these are issues you care too much about. In fact, wait–what’s that sound? The faint whine of a cop who got called out for brutalizing another innocent civilian. I’d be really surprised if you aren’t a cop, but if you aren’t you sure sound like one– you know, on a power trip and using unfounded logic to oppress the populace. Save us all the trouble and stop crying.
Fuck this guy. Although he did this later than my kids would be on the street, I would hate to have to explain why some asshole is riding his bike naked down the street to my 5 year-old son. This type of “demonstration” will never convince anyone with even slight credibility to see you side of an issue. Once again, fuck this guy.
I have personally met this little reprobate, and I assure you he is one of the dullest, most self righteous, hipster, vegan, fag stereotypes you will ever come across. The poor idiot got caught right in front of his house. He didn’t even ride that bike five feet before the big mean police man started oppressing him.
SEPDXdad and teamstertrucker I think you should watch the video http://bikeportland.org/2008/11/12/judge-t…
Also as Bobby’s boss I find your hate language particularly offensive. If you want to sound reasonable and argue your point you should refrain from using homophobic language. Feel free to stop by the Black Cat to chat. I think I can convince you that their are greater societal issues than naked people on bikes!