Were these lovers of being nude wrong to walk naked for charity ?

Question

Naked charity ramblers have complained that the long arm of the law was too heavy-handed in marshalling their fundraising walk.



The group of about 20 walkers was reportedly followed by 10 officers, patrol cars and a helicopter on a 20-mile hike along the path in Dorset.

They were walking from Swanage to Lulworth Cove on June 2 to raise money for the Marine Conservation Society.

But senior police decided the group posed a public risk and marshalled the naturists under a carefully-planned operation codenamed Thistle.

Amoing those who are stinging about the police is Bernard Boase, 63, who was asked to cover up by a police officer halfway through the walk.

He refused and was arrested and charged with harassment - but the case was later dropped because of a lack of evidence.

"The police harassed us far more than we could have harassed anybody else by our presence," said Mr Boase.

He claimed passers-by happily greeted the ramblers, who were wearing just rucksacks a

Answer 1

Well, as 1/2 of the townsfolk had to say as Lady Godiva toured the streets of Coverty in her all together, "HURRAY FOR OUR SIDE !"

Answer 2

Perhaps "wrong" is not the word I would have used, but inappropriate fits. I AM curious as to where the money raised would be stored during the walk...no, wait, I'm not sure I want to know! :-) Now, if the typical nudist were in his/her 20's, everything in place, tight, firm etc, I would watch the parage and pass out bucks. But from what I have seen of nudists, they are usually the last people on Earth that really should take their clothes off. Do people only become nudists after the age 50??? Just curious. Peace and love, Goldwing

Answer 3

Not certain of the rules in your country, but to do something as public assembly wouldn't they had to have a permit? Obviously the police were informed beforehand, or they would have never been there to begin with! Subsequently they were 'a day late and a dollar short' of doing what THEY thought was the right thing. If they were going to stop them they should have stopped them right from the start!

Carry on with volunteering and fund raising - keep warm!

Answer 4

I read all of the other responses before I answered. Naturism isn't about how beautiful your body is, or isn't. It's about being allowed to go sun-bathing without harassment.

We have a beach in S FL which is clearly marked as a "clothing optional beach". It only spans a few blocks. If you don't want to be there & see the "ugly" bodies, you can go to South Beach & see the women with surgically enhanced boobs & thongs. It's YOUR choice.

People from Europe (tourists) accept nudity as a given ( a natural thing) Only the US seems so uptight about it in the US & Europe.

I have never been nude for a protest, but one of my friends did.It was an anti-fur protest.

I am learning Spanish so I can get out of this country before it becomes any more facist.

Answer 5

people are so uptight about nudity.

I have a lot of sympathy with the nudists. I know a couple of practising naturists and they are wonderful people who are able to draw a clear line between sex and nudity.

but - even they would agree, the law is the law and has to be respected. we have rules about where and when people can be naked, and i am sure it does not include the whole lenght of this 20 mile stretch of coastal path.

old know all - having your 'willy out in public' is not illegal... it is just restricted to certain areas. To my knowledge there are 3 nudist beaches within about 50 miles of london. these are fully public areas and it is fully legal to walk about with 'your willy out'


i also see answers talking about how ugly people should cover up.... well, ugly is as ugly does .. there are some real shallow people out there

Answer 6

In the U.S. we have several nudist colonies. They rang in all ages including babies. We have nudist beaches as well. When they have to go out of the Colony they are dressed and they come back off come the clothes again.
There also have Nude beaches here also.
Of course they get the nice warm areas for their Nudist lifestyle. To me I think it would be a pedophiles dream to come true as their are alto of children there for them to gaze upon. We haven't had any problems over the issue as they stay to their own places and all get along. I know if they walked as nudist though the Public areas there were be alto of people.
There would be alto of trouble and the Pol lice would not side with the Nudists.

Answer 7

It wouldn't bother me, but some people are offended by nudity - especially if they are not forewarned. The police claim they had 17 complaints.

Having your willy out in a public place is illegal in the United Kingdom. It is the job of the police to uphold the law and the maintain public order.

The whole thing could have been organised better by both sides.

Answer 8

I appreciate their charitable fund goal however, do also understand the anti public nudity thing.

Read some months ago about a town [I think in the US] where public nudity is not against the law..and even there it got out of hand and they had to put some restrictions on it.

I have nothing against nudists, as long as I don't have to see their bodies when I go out! lol

Answer 9

I myself could not walk around naked, but if it is done and people are told in advance so that they don't have to be where it's going on, let them do it. The police should have donated the money they spent following ever one they could have cut it down to a one mile walk.Did they get any one on a concealed weapon charge.

Answer 10

The truth is that except for a few, many people's naked bodies are not pleasant to look at, and may even be described as ugly. They should not be on display in public. Apart from the law, there is the offense against public taste. Keep it hidden, I say. The police were right.