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Calgary cancels 'all-ages' naked pool party amid outrage | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A Canadian city has cancelled a naked swim at a leisure centre over security concerns arising from "volatile public commentary". | A Canadian city has cancelled a naked swim at a leisure centre over security concerns arising from "volatile public commentary". |
Calgary, in Alberta province, scrapped the event on Thursday after thousands signed an online petition calling for the sold-out pool party to be halted. | |
Opponents were concerned the 14 January event at the Southland Leisure Centre was all-ages and family friendly. | Opponents were concerned the 14 January event at the Southland Leisure Centre was all-ages and family friendly. |
The aborted swim party was organised by a local naturist group. | The aborted swim party was organised by a local naturist group. |
Calgary Nude Recreation describes itself as a group "for like-minded people who enjoy being in their birthday suit". | Calgary Nude Recreation describes itself as a group "for like-minded people who enjoy being in their birthday suit". |
In a statement, the city of Calgary said "recent events have created the potential to impact the safety of participants, public, and staff". | In a statement, the city of Calgary said "recent events have created the potential to impact the safety of participants, public, and staff". |
It said that private bookings of naturalist swims at city facilities have been authorised for years without incident, and that the cancellation was not due to the nature of the activity. | It said that private bookings of naturalist swims at city facilities have been authorised for years without incident, and that the cancellation was not due to the nature of the activity. |
In a statement posted on its Facebook page, Calgary Nude Recreation said it was "outrageous that lawful recreation can be prohibited by an incredibly vocal minority". | In a statement posted on its Facebook page, Calgary Nude Recreation said it was "outrageous that lawful recreation can be prohibited by an incredibly vocal minority". |
"These people must NOT be allowed to dictate public policy with threats against law abiding citizens engaged in lawful activities," the statement read. | "These people must NOT be allowed to dictate public policy with threats against law abiding citizens engaged in lawful activities," the statement read. |
Over 20,000 people signed the online Change.org petition calling for the event to be cancelled or changed to adults-only. | Over 20,000 people signed the online Change.org petition calling for the event to be cancelled or changed to adults-only. |
A counter-petition to "Shut Down the Petition to Shut Down the Nude Sliding Event" received some 6,000 names. | A counter-petition to "Shut Down the Petition to Shut Down the Nude Sliding Event" received some 6,000 names. |
Event organisers said they recognise that Calgary "is not the bad guy here" and hope to work with city officials to reschedule the event. | Event organisers said they recognise that Calgary "is not the bad guy here" and hope to work with city officials to reschedule the event. |
Calgary officials said they would collaborate with the group on future bookings. | Calgary officials said they would collaborate with the group on future bookings. |
But the nudist group said that since Calgary is the "gatekeeper" of all future events, legal action will be taken against the city. | But the nudist group said that since Calgary is the "gatekeeper" of all future events, legal action will be taken against the city. |
Calgary Nude Recreation says its "new mission" is to ensure more people in the city have access to nude recreation and it wants to establish a "legal clothing optional" stretch of river near the city centre for summer swims. | Calgary Nude Recreation says its "new mission" is to ensure more people in the city have access to nude recreation and it wants to establish a "legal clothing optional" stretch of river near the city centre for summer swims. |
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