So, a naked bike ride is supposed to derail Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court? Only in Portland, one hopes?
Every time I see notice of yet another hunger strike over some issue (large or small), my response is generally “meh”. Seriously, I just don’t care and they never affect my foundational beliefs. Killing your self generally makes no sense at all. At best, you’re a blip in the news. Oh, to be true, there will be a hardcore circle of family and friends that will get upset and if involved in that issue itself, may get more than a blip. To be honest, I can’t remember the results of any of such protests.
Ditto staying in trees, chaining yourselves across a highway, to buildings, or other objects. Frankly, my take is if you’ve decided have the hubris to derail other peoples’ lives in order to “get my message out”, you’re doing it all wrong. Getting people mad at you for disrupting their day, making them late for work or picking kids up from school and the like is correctly seen as harassment. And when the Extinction Rebellion self-righteous morons decided to get on top of subway trains as blue collar workers were trying to get to work got exactly what they deserved:
But this kind of “protest” just flummoxes me (and no, no pictures here):
Portland Group Plans Naked Bike Ride To Protest Amy Coney Barrett Nomination — Masks Are Required
If you get enough people riding naked on their bikes through the streets, then Ruth Bader Ginsburg magically comes back to life and deranged leftists don’t have to worry about Amy Coney Barrett being confirmed to the Supreme Court. Or so goes the logic of one Portland (duh, where else?) group, who is putting on a naked bike ride event to protest…. uhh…. something. Because it’s Portland.
The event, called Full Moon Naked Ride, is being staged by a group called Shift 2 Bikes. Portland is usually a hot spot for things like the World Naked Bike Ride, which was cancelled this year because of Covid. It’s set for Thursday evening, with the initial gathering point in Northeast Portland.
From the event page:
Ride under the full moon! Masks required. Protesting the Senate fast tracking the appointment of a replacement for Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court. You can wear clothes if you want to. Weather forecast is 86 degrees! Ride rolls along at a moderate pace, with breaks. We’ll try to visit all 5 quadrants.
It seems that as long as you label any kind of gathering as a “protest”, that gathering is protected under the First Amendment and nobody stops it (unless, of course, you’re a church worship service and then the Democrats refuse to honor that First Amendment Right). Even if everyone in the know knows this is about the “World Naked Bike Ride” which in looney Portland, is a thing.
Oh, the Portland Police (as if they needed anything else on their plate right now with the riots)? Official statement:
The Portland Police Bureau will have officers dedicated to the event to ensure everyone is safe and to provide assistance at intersections. There may be short traffic delays and drivers or non-participants are asked in advance for their patience.
Portland City Code 14A.40.030 (Indecent Exposure) states the following:
It is unlawful for any person to expose his or her genitalia while in a public place or place visible from a public place, if the public place is open or available to persons of the opposite sex.
Although many participants may violate the letter of the Portland City Code, the Police Bureau will be exercising discretion for this protest event as long as participants stay on the route with the rest of the riders. People who “start early” and potentially disrupt other neighborhood events not associated with the official ride may not receive the same discretion.
At a bare minimum, the Portland Police Bureau recommends that riders at least wear a helmet and shoes to avoid any potential injuries. Bike lights are also highly recommended for riders as well as plenty of water or fluids.
Right – shoes, helmets, masks. And oogling. There will be oogling. The only question will be is who will be oogle what.
(H/T: Gateway Pundit)
