We’ve had the following in from World Naked Bike Ride organisers and it raises some interesting questions:
The ACT Police have a bee in their bonnet and have pushed back on what they think will be acceptable during this years World Naked Bike Ride. It was pointed out to them that their ideas for this year are stricter than is normal at any beach, and more prudish than is accepted in other WNBR rides around Australia. They pointed out the ACT is not the beach, nor is the ACT the same as other cities. When the other rides in 80 cities around the world was mentioned they repeated this is the ACT and they are not following the examples in other cities. The APF have an opinion the Parliamentary Triangle should have a level of sanctity they wish to uphold, but failed to included the Question Time childishness or the various costumes worn by Steve Fielding in this concept.
After the recent meeting with the AFP, the message is –
There has been a late change from the ACT Police regarding the dress code for this year, and all riders must wear a minimum of clothing (e.g. bikini, speedo, underwear). Just a covering of body-paint will not be sufficient this year, and the AFP will be enforcing their requirement that genitals, buttocks, and breasts be covered with some type of clothing. Apart from this, the ride will be similar to last year.There have been a lot of negative opinions aired about this, and the WNBR organizers also think this is an over zealous requirement. One problem identified is people against the ride made some noise and complained loudly, but only a few who supported the ride made a similar noise. The social prudes are wining the debate, as they are the only ones speaking out. We need many people to ride this year, and oodles of people to cheer us on as we ride past, to show there is plenty of acceptance of the WNBR in Canberra.
Here at RiotACT we can’t help wonder who assessed community feedback, or even called for it? Who met and considered these issues? Who made these decisions?
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