Opinion ID: 1922564
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Relationship to Suppression of Expression

Text: [¶ 27] The third prong of the O'Brien test asks whether the government interest served by an ordinance is unrelated to the suppression of expression. 391 U.S. at 377, 88 S.Ct. 1673. In Barnes v. Glen Theatre, Inc ., the United States Supreme Court held that a statute prohibiting public nudity was unrelated to the suppression of free expression because it was aimed at the nudity rather than erotic expression. 501 U.S. at 570, 111 S.Ct. 2456. The Court stated that it was not the dancing that was prohibited, but simply its being done in the nude. Id. at 571, 111 S.Ct. 2456. In the same manner, section 228 is a content-neutral regulation that is aimed at preventing the harmful secondary effects of nude entertainment. Based upon the legislative findings, the City adopted section 228 to protect the public health, safety and morals. BANGOR CODE § 228-12(B). Because section 228 serves important governmental interests that are unrelated to the suppression of free expression, it satisfies the third prong of the O'Brien test.