Kitchener-Waterloo

'Return my bong' protester vows to continue despite arrest for nudity

A Cambridge man who has been seen protesting outside the courthouse in Kitchener in just his underwear has been arrested for public nudity.

Cambridge man wears just socks, shoes and underwear to protest treatment by police

Jeffrey Shaver of Cambridge was arrested Wednesday outside the courthouse in Kitchener and charged with public nudity. Shaver has been seen protesting the seizure of his medical marijuana and bong by police outside the courthouse wearing only socks, shoes and underwear. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

Hours after he was arrested for public nudity outside the Kitchener courthouse, Jeffrey Shaver vowed to return.

Wednesday afternoon he told people on his Facebook page, "Stay tuned for what colour joch [sic] I'm wearing tomorrow."

Police confirmed Shaver was arrested outside the courthouse Wednesday after officers received a call from the Crown attorney's office about a man wearing a thong. He was charged with public nudity.

Shaver called the charge "laughable."

Shaver has been protesting the seizure of his bong and marijuana by police outside the courthouse with signs saying "return my bong" and "return my marijuana." He has also received attention because he wears nothing more than socks, shoes and underwear.

Medical pot seized

Shaver said he has a medical prescription for his pot, but police have seized his bong and marijuana and arrested him more than once despite him showing them the documentation.

Shaver said both Waterloo Regional Police and the Ontario Provincial Police have seized his items, returning them a short time later.

He said police need better training on how to handle medical marijuana users.

Insp. Michael Haffner with Waterloo Regional Police has told CBC previously they are reviewing the circumstances of Shaver's claim.

"We appreciate Mr. Shaver's frustrations and want to assure him that his concerns are being looked at and will be addressed," Haffner said.