Nudists Celebrate Ruling With Protest
Judge Calls "Natural" Peace Symbol Free Speech
UPDATED: 3:00 p.m. EST February 14, 2003
SINGER ISLAND, Fla. -- A federal court judge has barred the State of Florida from trying to block plans by a group of women to gather in a state park, strip nude and form a peace symbol with their bodies in protest of a U.S. war on Iraq.
U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks wrote an 11-page order stating that "nude overtly political speech in the form of a 'living nude peace symbol' is expressive conduct well within the ambit of the First Amendment."
Middlebrooks also ruled, however, that the state could erect signs to notify the public that the protest would be taking place, or it could put screens around the demonstrators.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida went to court in defense of a naturist and a videographer, who planned to record the event.
An anti-war with Iraq demonstration took place Friday morning at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park on Singer Island, north of West Palm Beach. Nudists gathered on the beach to protest the escalation of way, and also created a peace sign in the sand.
Protest organizer T.A. Wyner, who did not take off her clothes but has in years past, said nude demonstrators are equated with vulnerability, and none had weapons or anything else to hide.
U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks wrote an 11-page order stating that "nude overtly political speech in the form of a 'living nude peace symbol' is expressive conduct well within the ambit of the First Amendment."
Middlebrooks also ruled, however, that the state could erect signs to notify the public that the protest would be taking place, or it could put screens around the demonstrators.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida went to court in defense of a naturist and a videographer, who planned to record the event.
An anti-war with Iraq demonstration took place Friday morning at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park on Singer Island, north of West Palm Beach. Nudists gathered on the beach to protest the escalation of way, and also created a peace sign in the sand.
Protest organizer T.A. Wyner, who did not take off her clothes but has in years past, said nude demonstrators are equated with vulnerability, and none had weapons or anything else to hide.
Copyright 2003 by TheWPBFchannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
