Wayne Peal

Livingston Daily

The Howell man whose impromptu striptease last month at the Libertarian Party's national convention made headlines across the U.S. has been suspended from the party.

James Weeks II announced Sunday evening that Libertarian Executive Committee officials approved his suspension earlier in the day because of his actions.

Weeks, chairman of the party's Livingston County branch and an announced party candidate for county sheriff, said "the reasoning behind this suspension is their disapproval of my use of free expression in lieu of a speech during my run for Libertarian Party chair at the national convention."

Weeks has maintained his dance was a statement protesting the powers that be in American politics.

He also said he received emails and letters of support from Libertarian leaders present at the convention.

To become a Libertarian Party member, Weeks said, one need only take a pledge against using violence to achieve social and political ends.

"I do not believe my actions have violated this pledge, I believe the actions of the LEC are far closer to violating this sacred principle."

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Libertarian stripper has long Livingston history

Contact Livingston Daily reporter Wayne Peal at wpeal@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @wpeal.