Republican Representatives Tom Tiffany and Scott Fitzgerald from Wisconsin have taken a significant step by reaching out to Attorney General Merrick Garland.
They have formally requested an investigation into an alleged incident of exploitation involving a 10-year-old minor at an event called the “Naked Bike Ride” in Madison, Wisconsin.
The lawmakers, in a letter obtained by The Daily Caller, express their concern and seek detailed information about the event that took place on June 17, 2023. It has been reported that this controversial gathering involved approximately 150 individuals riding bicycles in the nude, among them a 10-year-old girl who participated with the consent of her parents or caretakers.
“Those entrusted in the care and protection of this innocent child, consented, and condoned this harmful conduct and her indecent exposure. It is undisputable that indecent exposure is lewd conduct (obscenity) and is not protected speech,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter. “This cannot be allowed to happen, now or again, and request your cooperation in immediately investigating this flagrant violation of our child endangerment and obscenity laws.”
“As you know, the standard of what is harmful to minors may differ from the standard applied to adults,” the lawmakers added. “For good reason, these standards seek to protect minors from pornography, obscenity, and other material that may bring harm to them, and they must be enforced.”
Here Is What The Lawmakers Are Requesting In The Letter:
- Will the Department of Justice endeavor, in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to investigate this matter, and leverage appropriate charge(s) on those responsible for endangering a child through the propagation of this obscene conduct?
- If your department declines to investigate this matter, what law or policy are you invoking that precludes you from launching an investigation?
- What federal remedy does a minor, who does not have legal capacity and is exploited by their parents, have under these facts?
The lawmakers called for responses to their questions no later than Aug. 26, 2023.
“The world is in a very dark place when parents and event organizers allow a 10-year-old’s indecent exposure in a public bike ride,” Tiffany told the Caller before sending the letter. “It’s immoral, harmful, and obscene. Those who allowed it should be held accountable.”
The DOJ did not immediately respond to the Caller’s inquiry about the letter.
