It's rare for a lone individual to strip off in public in order to make a statement about clothing-free rights. It's even more rare when that individual is a young man of barely 20. And rarer still when he makes such a public display in the conservative state of Idaho.
But that's exactly what Jonathan Palmer did last Thursday in the 15th and Hill area of Boise's North End last Thursday evening. After receiving several calls from witnesses, police arrested the 20-year old for walking down the street completely naked.
But unlike many instances of public nudity, Palmer was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. On the contrary, the arresting officer, Lt. Kent Lipple, described Palmer as cooperative and articulate.
"He wanted to face his fear of being naked in public," Lipple said in a news report.
But Palmer's goal was much more than personal. He was out to help the public conquer its own fears as well. According to Lipple's report, Palmer told arresting officers, "I want the public to understand it's okay to see a naked man walk down the road."
Palmer was charged with public nudity, a misdemeanor.
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