X-plicit Parade Promotes Peace

Eight local activists displayed their lighter sides yesterday, marching in the nude down Telegraph Avenue to express their distaste for the current presidential administration.

The 13th annual "Nude and Breast Freedom Parade," organized by the X-plicit Players of Berkeley, marched under the theme "Get Your Bush Out to Get Bush Out."

Led by activist and Berkeley resident Debbie Moore, the eight members present for the parade walked down Telegraph, staying mostly between Dwight Way and Haste Street, singing and marching in their birthday suits in the name of peace and human connection.

The eight X-plicit players began yesterday's festivities in People's Park, where the group held hands in a prayerlike circle before making its way down to Telegraph.

Participants displayed signs proclaiming their contempt for the current presidency, aiming to bring attention to this year's election, Moore said.

"I see spreading our message as an offshoot of what we are really trying to do," Moore said. "The most important thing is for the people to feel a communion between each other."

The X-plicit Players, which includes men and women of all ages and walks of life-including a pastor from San Francisco-aims to promote freedom, humanism and peacefulness through maintenance of a relationship with nature and one another, Moore said.

However, since public nudity is barred by city ordinance, Moore has dealt with the law on more than 13 occasions, seven of them in court, since the group formed in 1991.

Despite her court appearances, however, Moore remains committed.

"I keep doing it because I love and adore my friends," she said. "This is my church, my spiritual place of vision. I've got to do it."

A police officer held back from citing the group, however, because citation is only required when an offended party files a complaint.

Onlookers displayed a mixed bag of reactions, with cries ranging from "That's awesome!" to "Put some clothes on!"

While on Telegraph, the slow procession stopped to sing, pose for pictures and even talk to curious pedestrians. At one point, the demonstrators passed through a crowded Anne's Kitchen and Shakespeare and Company Books.

Paul Hohlt, who was manning Shakespeare's register at the time, said he was not bothered by the visitors.

"If you can't do it in Berkeley, where can you do it?" Hohlt said.

But not everyone was quite so open to the presence of the mostly nude octet.

Berkeley local John Williams described the scene as "gross."

"It makes your digestive system re-digest," he said.

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