A county supervisor from Wisconsin, Jeff Weigand, recently voiced his strong opposition to a public nudity protest event that aimed to promote body positivity and protest against fossil fuels. Weigand, who is a Christian father, criticized the event for exposing children to nudity and argued that it violated his and his children’s rights to not witness such displays.
Weigand firmly believes that while individuals have the right to engage in activities without clothing in private, bringing nudity into the public sphere infringes upon the rights of others, including his own and his children’s. He expressed his disgust at the public nudity displayed during the June event and noted that he actively avoids certain areas of town to protect his children from such encounters.
The event in question, known as the “World Naked Bike Ride,” is a global protest against oil dependence, body sexualization, and body disempowerment. Participants are encouraged to be “bare as you dare.” Although the event organizers argue that anyone can join the protest regardless of age, Weigand argues that exposing children to nudity crosses a line and raises concerns about child protection.
Following the event, the local police initiated an investigation into an incident involving a young girl, approximately 10 years old, who participated in the bike ride naked. A photograph of the girl, accompanied by four adults, circulated on social media, showing her buttocks. While some event attendees expressed discomfort and deemed the girl’s appearance inappropriate, the police concluded that the photo did not violate Wisconsin’s child pornography laws as it was not sexually explicit.
Weigand expressed surprise at the lack of closer scrutiny from the police and highlighted that he is the only member of the Dane County board raising concerns about the incident. He believes that individuals with various ideological backgrounds should unite to protect children’s innocence and challenge actions they consider harmful, such as public nudity or gender ideology. Weigand also shared his view that some individuals who resent God deliberately engage in activities that oppose their beliefs.
Advocating for greater protection of children, Weigand emphasized that it is the fundamental role of government to punish wrongdoing and reward good behavior. He believes that citizens are increasingly aware of governments’ failure to fulfill this duty, leading to frustration and calls for change. Weigand hopes that parents and citizens will be awakened by these issues and work towards electing officials who prioritize the well-being and innocence of children.