Editor's Picks: Iowa City Pride Parade Disrupted by Los Angeles Man's Aggressive Dancing: Best of 2012

Editor's Note: As the year winds down, Iowa City Patch is looking back at some of the stories that made you talk, cry, laugh or just scratch your head.

Originally posted June 19, 2012

A Los Angeles man was arrested Saturday and charged with interference with official acts and disorderly conduct: making loud and raucous noise, both misdemeanors, after he allegedly disrupted the Iowa City Pride parade on Saturday.

According to an Iowa City police criminal complaint, Michael Steven Oren, 52, of Los Angeles, was arrested after he continued his disruptive behavior following a police warning.

Police were called to the site of the festivities at College Green Park at 1:46 p.m. Saturday for the report of a man, Oren, yelling obscenities and disturbing the parade. Police warned Oren about this incident, according to the complaint. Later, when Oren jumped up onto the stage, interrupting musicians and yelling, he was arrested.

Iowa City police Lt. Bill Campbell said that Oren was actually in the parade, and was complaining loudly about the policies of President Obama.

"I don't think his issue was with the parade at all," Campbell said. "He wasn't happy with some of the things that are going on in the election."

Campbell said Oren told police that he is running for president. Oren was also accused of dancing too aggressively with some of the female participants.

According to the complaint, Oren was charged with interference with official acts following his arrest he tensed up and resisted being put into the squad car, all while yelling loudly.

Patch Commenter Jennifever Miller had one possible explanation for what Oren did to get himself in trouble: 

He jumped onto one of the floats and then tried to give a performer an unsolicited massage during their performance.

Click here for a gallery of Iowa City's 2012 Pride Parade.