Appeals court upholds woman's right to protest while topless

[DoYouEverWonder]

Oct 12, 2006

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- A woman, who was arrested when she exposed her breasts to protest laws that bar women from publicly going bare breasted, can demonstrate topless as part of a legitimate political protest, an appeals court has ruled.

The 7th Judicial Circuit Court of Appeals on Oct. 5 upheld a Volusia County judge's opinion that Elizabeth Book could protest while topless on the city's Main Street Bridge.

Book, of Ormond Beach, was arrested by Daytona Beach police and fined $253 during Bike Week in March 2004. The city said she violated an ordinance banning public nudity that was passed in 2002 to curb indecency at special events.

Book's attorney, Lawrence G. Walters, said the latest ruling is a victory for his client, who set out to test laws against nudity because she believes they are unfairly applied to women.

Deputy City Attorney Marie Hartman said the city "respectfully disagrees with the opinion." Hartman said the city is looking into an appeal to the 5th District Court of Appeal.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FL_TOPLESS_PROTE...

[Az_lefty]

1. we should encourage more of this sort of thing...

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. It certainly would have an impact

on attendance.

[barb162]

3. Well wait a minute

depends how a person looks. Did you ever see that Arnold S photo recently with all that flab

[bananas]

5. Then we just need to protest beer prices at the same time

[Solo_in_MD]

6. Try this link, it has some pictures

and others here may reconsider their position after looking at it...

http://www.local6.com/news/10062697/detail.html

Click the "IMAGES: Earlier photos from topless protest " link

[aaronbees]

7. I liked this sign:

"Honk for Topfree Equality"

[NaturalHigh]

8. Ugh...

I mean, I'm all for topless protests and all, but, just...ugh.

[ThomCat]

12. Who cares what she looks like.

If men can be topless then women should be able to be topless too.

Whether or not you wnat to see someone topless is an entirely differnet issue. Her rights should not be confused with your preferences.

[Tansy_Gold]

17. Yeah. what you said

There were some pretty uuuuuugly men in some of those pix, and no one says ugly men can't go topless. . . . .

[fleabert]

21. damn right. nt

[Megahurtz]

22. I know I've seen a few men with breasts

and nobody's making them cover up LOL!

[fleabert]

25. exactly! if it's about cup size, then many men would have to cover, and

many women wouldn't have to.

and I hate it when people say that only breasts that can lactate should be covered, in that case, men too! Just about any breast can lactate with enough stimulation...

it's stupid. if men can have their boobies hang low, then so can I!

[Zhade]

28. Agreed.

LOVE the sexism in this thread.

[stonecoldsober]

4. Women of the world unite!

[ThomCat]

11. Welcome to DU.

[newyawker99]

14. Hi stonecoldsober!!

Welcome to DU!!

[Pharaoh]

27. Welcome to DU!

[last1standing]

9. Has this site been taken over by free republic?

The OP gives us a thread and link providing information about a legitimate protest (the kind of thing people here keep wanting) and all several "DUers" are able to do is make fun of the protester because she isn't as pretty as they'd like a barechested woman to be. I call that sexist, cruel, and moronic. That woman could quite well be a member of DU. She might even be one of the few "non-sexy" women to have actual emotions (heaven forbid). I guess some here don't think a person has a right to opinions unless they have a certain beauty quotient.

I can honestly say that I'm disgusted by some of the responces here today.

[Lance_Boyle]

10. How coud anyone even tell?

That picture is blurrier than genitals in Japanese porn.

[Habibi]

13. Ditto.

Sheesh, people.

[Megahurtz]

19. Maybe some of the people that find it disgusting

should instead consider what they look like without clothes. LOL!

[happydreams]

15. This is really a 2nd Amendment issue

If you have the right to bare arms why not the rest of you?

[onenote]

16. wasn't this a Boston Legal plot line?

[htuttle]

18. Why not? It's Friday, ya bastids!

[Thor_MN]

20. If they upheld topless womens's rights, I presume their lefts are OK two?

If men can go sans shirts, women should be able to as well.

[AnneD]

23. This type of protest ....

goes all the way back to Lady Godiva. She rode on he horse al la natural to on a dare to protest the high taxes, and if memory serves, it think he husband was the one that raised the taxes.

[toopers]

24. Next time I am going out with the guys . . .

I can tell my girlfriend that I am going to a Protest Bar.

[AnneD]

26. Nice try

toopers....but you are not suppose to tip protesters.