Free spirits frolic at Fremont festivities

But we only can hope those bicyclists mixed some sunscreen with all that psychedelic body paint and glitter that so vividly depicted the flamboyant heart of Fremont.

Seattle welcomed summer yesterday with its 16th annual Solstice Parade, a joyous, 75-minute celebration of all things wild and pagan.

"I love it, because it's not 64 big sparkly floats with beauty queens on top waving, and people politely applauding when they go by," said volunteer traffic controller Chelsea Teller, who coordinated her neon safety vest with orange-and-white clown makeup. "It's people being free, artistic souls, in all their whimsical splendor."

Sierra Willoughby, 34, was among about 50 nude bicyclists who opened the parade, drawing riotous cheers and applause from spectators lining the roughly two-mile parade route through the heart of Fremont.

ALAN BERNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES Fremont's 16-foot tall statue of Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin was transformed into the late Beatle John Lennon for the parade.

Willoughby wore only sandals and a crystal necklace with his purple-and-aqua body paint, which included a splendid depiction of Mount Rainier rising up his back.

It was his first nude public foray, excluding various counterculture events such as the Rainbow Gathering and the Burning Man Festival.

"This has sort of an organic feel to it," said Willoughby, standing (still naked), amid the crowd at the corner of North 34th Street and Stone Way, after finishing his own portion of the parade.

Police and the Fremont Arts Council, organizer of the event, said the parade was mostly peaceful, with no arrests. Maque daVis, the council's "ex-president for life," said 500 to 600 people participated. Scores of children lining the parade route seemed unabashed by the nudity.

Seattle 8-year-old Joseph Smith, who's been to five solstice parades now, said the bicyclists are his favorite part because their skin colors are so cool.

"It's the variety," she said. "The marching bands and the belly-dance music and the ukuleles."

The Smith family had a perfect view of a parade highlight, a bit of political-performance art. The crowd hooted as a cardboard tank, powered by a pair of bicycles, crushed and deflated a 25-foot-tall Statue of Liberty.

ALAN BERNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES Bill Moyer directs a 70-foot-long spine down the street, intimating the Democratic Party needs to "get a spine" as the parade took on an additional political flavor.

"Oooooh, they toppled liberty," yelled Jorge Sanchez, 38, a Seattle man standing near the kids.

The crowd chanted "vote — vote — vote — vote" as a ragtag group of volunteers used a giant air pump to reinflate the towering green symbol.

No printed words or signs were allowed in this year's parade, but that didn't stop the political statements.

Directly behind the statue came a large painted poster depicting President Bush and his cabinet. "Feel free to give up your freedom to be free," cried a member of that contingent, inviting the crowd to reach into a bucket of slop and throw handfuls at the cartoon.

"That was a physical release of frustration," she said, as she wiped off her hand.

Lopez, a Seattle legal assistant, said she and Sanchez plan to participate in the actual parade next year.

You may want to contact the Seattle IRS offices about suspected tax fraud. I found this reference to the Solitice event online:

FremontArtsCouncil.org - meetings - minutes - june04.html
PAT OLESZKO WORKSHOP
She was here, will be back for the Solstice Parade, slideshow at Fremont Baptist Church had 70 people attend, 12 people signed up for the workshop (14 showed up), made Bush’s Cabinet (inflatables) and Giant Statue of Liberty. Very political and cynical - e.g. Dick Cheney is a large pink phallus, Colin Powell is a giant intestine, etc. Ten (10) day workshop, got 90 percent of costumes completed. Will be in the Parade! Broke even. Cost was about $6000 and had $6000 in donations and grants.

FreemontArtsCounil.org - Donations

Fremont's Summer Solstice Parade would be impossible without the generosity of the public. You can help us produce our fabulous, fun parade by making a donation to the Fremont Arts Council.
[snip]
The Fremont Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation is tax-deductible as provided by law.

IRS.gov - Charities May Not Engage in Political Campaign Activities

Even activities that encourage people to vote for or against a particular candidate on the basis of nonpartisan criteria violate the political campaign prohibition of section 501(c)(3)
Whether an organization is engaging in prohibited political campaign activity depends upon all the facts and circumstances in each case. For example, organizations may sponsor debates or forums to educate voters. If the debate or forum shows a preference for or against a certain candidate, however, it becomes a prohibited activity.

Charitable orgs - Political and Lobbying Activities (Adapted from IRS Publication 1828, Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations - February 2004)

[snip] Political Campaign Activity
Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violation of this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise tax.
Certain activities or expenditures may not be prohibited depending on the facts and circumstances. For example, certain voter education activities (including the presentation of public forums and the publication of voter education guides) conducted in a non-partisan manner do not constitute prohibited political campaign activity.
In addition, other activities intended to encourage people to participate in the electoral process, such as voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, would not constitute prohibited political campaign activity if conducted in a non-partisan manner. On the other hand, voter education or registration activities with evidence of bias that: (a) would favor one candidate over another; (b) oppose a candidate in some manner; or (c) have the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates, will constitute prohibited participation or intervention.
Individual Activity by Organization Leaders
The political campaign activity prohibition is not intended to restrict free expression on political matters by leaders of organizations speaking for themselves, as individuals. Nor are leaders prohibited from speaking about important issues of public policy. However, for their organizations to remain tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3), leaders cannot make partisan comments in official organization publications or at official functions.
To avoid potential attribution of their comments outside of organization functions and publications, organization leaders who speak or write in their individual capacity are encouraged to clearly indicate that their comments are personal and not intended to represent the views of the organization.

They have convicted themselves by their own admission.

Where Do You Report Suspected Tax Fraud Activity?

If you suspect or know of an individual or company that is not complying with the tax laws, report this activity. Reports of suspected tax fraud can be made by phone, mail or your local IRS walk-in office.
By phone:
You can contact the IRS toll free at 1-800-829-0433.
By mail:
Written correspondence can be mailed to the service center where you file your return. Addresses can be found at: Where to File Addresses
Although you are not required to identify yourself, it is helpful to do so. Your identity can be kept confidential. You may also be entitled to a reward.
Walk-in Offices:
IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers locations can be found at Contact My Local Office.

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