Airport stripper ‘not lewd’

PORTLAND – A high-tech worker who stripped naked at Portland International Airport as a protest against airport security screeners said Wednesday he was being “nude but not lewd,” and characterized his act of defiance as protected political speech.

John E. Brennan, 49, of Portland, was charged with 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. The incident report from the Port of Portland, which operates the airport, said some passengers covered their eyes and the eyes of their children. Others laughed and took photos. The disorderly conduct charge was dropped at Brennan’s arraignment Wednesday.

Brennan said he decided to protest after he was pulled aside after going through the metal detector and a pat-down, he said.