Women Sue to March Topless During Protest in Daytona Beach

ap.tbo.com/ap ^

[chance33_98]

Women Sue to March Topless During Protest in Daytona Beach

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Two women who plan to lead a topless protest in Daytona Beach on Sunday sued the city and its mayor Friday in a pre-emptive move to stop police officers from arresting them. Elizabeth Book and Shirley Mason asked a judge in U.S. District Court in Orlando to issue a restraining order prohibiting city police officers from arresting marchers during a topless protest on the last day of Bike Week, the annual gathering of motorcycle aficionados.

No one answered the phone at U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell's office late Friday. Lawrence Walters, an attorney for the women, said he hadn't gotten a response late Friday from the judge on whether there would be a hearing.

The women believe it's unfair that men can go topless in public places while they can't. They claimed in their lawsuit they should be allowed to protest topless under the free speech, freedom to assemble and equal protection clauses of the Constitution.

"We're seeking to stop law enforcement from arresting these individuals protesting topless in the city," Walters said. "The police have threatened arrest under the disorderly conduct ordinance. They don't apply during a political protest."

Robert Brown, city attorney for Daytona Beach, and Sgt. Al Tolley, a spokesman for the Daytona Beach Police Department, didn't return phone calls.

City manager Richard Quigley on Wednesday sent Book a letter and a copy of city statutes on obstructing sidewalks, disorderly conduct and public nudity. He warned in the letter that "violations of laws or ordinances will be subjected to intervention by law enforcement."

The public nudity ordinance requires a "full and opaque covering" of the nipple and areola of a woman's breast, in addition to half of the outside surface of the breast located below the areola.

Daytona Beach Commissioner Darlene Yordon said city officials and police officers would wait and see what the protesters did before taking any action.

"We don't know why they're doing this whole production," Yordon said. "What we're doing is taking a wait-and-see attitude because we're not sure what they're doing."

[Seruzawa]

I guess they think they should be able to defecate on the public streets too if it's a "political protest".

[HitmanLV]

Well, they won't have to sue to be topless here in Las Vegas.

[Paul Atreides]

Yet, they'll bite the heads off of any man who looks at their breasts.

I have a feeling that these two probably won't have to worry about men looking at their bare breasts. They sound like NOW Nags.

[Paul Atreides]

Remember, the pukers out in California, protesting the war?

[cajun-jack]

I heard on the radio that there were going to be 1000 topless women riding thru town in protest....wonder where they will put them all and how many cops are volunteering for overtime duty during this "event"??

[Spok]

"No one answered the phone at U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell's office late Friday."

I'm sure hizzoner was diligently pouring over the evidence-these guys are REALLY dedicated.

[theFIRMbss]

>The public nudity ordinance requires a "full and opaque covering" of the (1) nipple and (2) areola of a woman's breast, in addition to (3) half of the outside surface of the breast located below the areola

Can we talk about
this kind of stuff? The censors
might come and get us . . .

[chance33_98]

I heard on the radio that there were going to be 1000 topless women riding thru town in protest....

I trust some freepers will document this for the thread using a digital camera and update us later....

[Dutch Boy]

Why is this news? It sounds more like a stunt from a few people that didn't get enough hugs as a kid.

In the not so recent past it would have been a simple local issue. I remember many years ago in NY when the "Top Free 7" pulled the same thing. It turned into a big ho-hum. The only thing it accomplished was getting a few people their 15 minutes of fame.

[cajun-jack]

i truly hope so!!!!

[commish]

I am sure the judge will ask to see a full presentation of the evidence, so he can make a ruling that is in the breast interest of the community.

[nmh]

I'd bet their ugly as sin and this is there big chance to get some attention.

Yeah, defecating in the street should be legal too.

[vetvetdoug]

I couldn't watch. It would be sort of watching a NASCAR event waiting for the big wreck. Gravity and motorcycle spokes is a dangerous combination, not to mention the road burn.

[Prodigal Son]

I guess they think they should be able to defecate on the public streets too if it's a "political protest".

I don't see the connection between a man or woman taking off their top and defecating on the street. The latter is a number of things, among them unsanitary.

[Prodigal Son]

They sound like NOW Nags.

I thought they were biker chics? This is only a follow up article from a couple last week. It was a pair of biker style chics that were wanting to do this.

[garyhope]

I could be available to supply hugs to help out these poor emotionally deprived topless women to make up for their lost childhoods. I just wanna help. It's "for the children", not me of course.

[Scenic Sounds]

Don't forget your sunscreen, ladies!

[P.O.E.]

There's plenty of guys that should be wearing shirts, for about the same reason.

[Lijahsbubbe]

Daytona Beach Commissioner Darlene Yordon said city officials and police officers would wait and see what the protesters did before taking any action.

"What we're doing is taking a wait-and-see attitude...."

Ha ha ha. Too funny!