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Boise to remove pants in protest
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A cultural phenomenon has found a new home in Boise.
The attention-grabbing No Pants Day is sure to ruffle feathers this May.
A group called Improv Everywhere raised eyebrows in 10 cities across the world Jan. 12 by encouraging commuters to take off their pants in protest of inefficient public transit systems.
The brains behind bringing the protest to Boise, Mike Murphy, sat down with The Arbiter for a chat.
Along with Mike came one of Boise State’s own, Tim Kistle, vice president of Students for Active Civic Engagement.
Bob Beers: Why are you going to bring No Pants Day to Boise?
Mike Murphy: There was a recent forum on the Website (The Boise Guardian) about the dismal state of mass transit. And, there was a lot of talk and very little suggestion, actually no suggestions whatsoever of any kind of action anyone could take.
It was just a happy coincidence that about an hour later there was media coverage of Improv Everywhere’s No Pants Subway Ride. Improv Everywhere’s motto is, “Creating scenes of chaos and joy;” it’s all for fun.
It just seemed like a great idea to amalgamate the two. Bring a little awareness to the need, because there is a dire need here for better mass transit.
Tim Kistle: Not to mention BSU’s parking. Everyone hates it, you know? It’s always the hot topic in the [Associated Students of Boise State University] elections.
If we can get students to come to school on No Pants Day, especially at the university, that would be powerful. Get some media coverage, and to tell people, “Hey look, fix it already.”
MM: And that is the socially-redeeming component to Boise No Pants Day. The other thing is to just have some goofy fun.You know, we’re at war, the economy is tanking, people are getting screwed out of their homes. The idea is to create something fun that’s not really organized, that doesn’t have to follow any dictums or anything like that. Just a fun day that anyone can participate in.
BB: On the Friday that will be No Pants Day, what do people have to do in order to participate?
MM: Dress as you normally would, just no pants. And the idea is that if someone looks at you and asks you, “Where are your pants?” you give them a stupid response, like, “Somebody stole them” or “I forgot to put my pants on this morning” or something like that.
There’s not supposed to be anything sexual about it or anything like that. It’s just silliness.
BB: Would people just go about their
regular day then?
MM: Just go about your regular day. That’s it.
TK: And to try to take a ride on the bus too.
MM: And that’s the main thing: to encourage people to try to get together with their friends and family. You can get an all-day bus pass for $2. So the suggestion is to take a two-buck tour. Hop on the bus somewhere downtown with some friends and just ride around and have fun.
Learn more about Boise No Pants Day at www.boisenopantsday.com, or on its Myspace page.
Appropriate attire for the day includes boxers, bloomers, slips, briefs and boxer-briefs. Skirts, shorts and kilts are not considered proper No Pants Day attire.
BOB BEERS
Culture Writer
