Federal Judge Dismisses Naked Violinist’s Claims Against Portland Police

A federal judge has tossed out a protester’s claim that Portland police violated his rights by arresting him while he played violin nude outside a federal courthouse.

Matthew Mglej, 26, was arrested for indecent exposure in May 2014 after he stripped outside the downtown courthouse to show that transparency is needed within government, The Oregonian reports.

He filed a lawsuit last January against both Portland police and Multnomah County, alleging unlawful arrest, violation of his First Amendment rights and excessive force after his charge was dismissed, according to the newspaper. Mglej was seeking $1.1 million in damages.

A judge on Friday dismissed Mglej’s claims that the arrest was unlawful or that his First Amendment rights were violated, saying his nudity didn’t advance a specific message, so it wasn’t protected, according to The Oregonian. However, his allegation of excessive force at the downtown jail can proceed to trial, the newspaper said.

[The Oregonian]