Airport stripper says he was ‘nude but not lewd’
In this photo released by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office shows John E. Brennan. Port of Portland police say Brennan, 49, stripped naked at Portland International Airport as a protest against airport security screeners. The incident report said John E. Brennan's actions Tuesday evening caused some passengers to cover their eyes and their children's eyes while others looked, laughed and took photos. Police say the Portland man was arrested for investigation of indecent exposure and disorderly conduct. The Oregonian reports the Port of Portland summary said Brennan "disrobed completely naked" while going through a security screening area. He later told authorities he flies often and "disrobed as a form of protest against TSA (Transportation Security Administration) screeners he felt were harassing him." He missed his flight to San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Multnomah County Sheriff's Office) ___
PORTLAND, Ore. >> An Oregon man who stripped naked at Portland International Airport as a protest against airport security screeners says he was being "nude but not lewd," and characterized his act of defiance as protected political speech.
John Brennan of Portland faces charges of disorderly conduct and indecent exposure after taking off far more than his belt and shoes during the screening process before a Tuesday evening flight to San Jose, Calif.
Brennan says the Transportation Security Administration has trouble balancing the line between privacy and security, and he decided to protest because he was pulled aside after going through the metal detector.
The Oregonian reports the Port of Portland summary said Brennan "disrobed completely naked" while going through a security screening area.
The report said Brennan’s actions caused some passengers to cover their eyes and their children’s eyes while others looked, laughed and took photos. Two screening lanes were temporarily closed.
He missed his flight to San Jose, Calif.
Brennan plans to fly to San Jose tonight.
