Dozens of topless women — and men — attended the trio's "Bare With Us" rally at Waterloo Town Square, meant to educate the public about women's right to be topless if they so choose.
Local media reports say people were waving placards, banners and sporting body paint with messages including "everyone has the right to NOT be harassed" and "Bare With Us! They're just boobs!"
Juno-nominated musician Alysha Brilla says she and her sisters were not wearing shirts while cycling in Kitchener, Ont., on July 24 when a male officer drove up beside them and told them to cover up because it is the law.
Brilla says told the officer he was wrong, adding that when she started filming the interaction on her cellphone, the officer said he had only wanted to check if the women had proper bells and lights on their bicycles.
Ontario women have had the right to go topless in public since 1996. Of course, we choose not to, as a rule. but we will fight to the death for the right. It is just symbolic of the support of women's rights in general but it sure garnered a lot of attention from local males. I never saw so many cameras. The guys seem very enthusiastic in their support of women going topless. I wonder if they would be so supportive of an equal pay for equal work system.... Or perhaps 'men going bottomless'.
Local media reports say people were waving placards, banners and sporting body paint with messages including "everyone has the right to NOT be harassed" and "Bare With Us! They're just boobs!"
Juno-nominated musician Alysha Brilla says she and her sisters were not wearing shirts while cycling in Kitchener, Ont., on July 24 when a male officer drove up beside them and told them to cover up because it is the law.
Brilla says told the officer he was wrong, adding that when she started filming the interaction on her cellphone, the officer said he had only wanted to check if the women had proper bells and lights on their bicycles.
Ontario women have had the right to go topless in public since 1996. Of course, we choose not to, as a rule. but we will fight to the death for the right. It is just symbolic of the support of women's rights in general but it sure garnered a lot of attention from local males. I never saw so many cameras. The guys seem very enthusiastic in their support of women going topless. I wonder if they would be so supportive of an equal pay for equal work system.... Or perhaps 'men going bottomless'.
Jeannie,
ReplyDeleteI fully support their right to go topless in public. Equal rights for all I say. if it's legal ,it's their right .
Police officers aren't the only individuals prone to losing sight of the difference between the law and social taboo. People do it all the time: they get outraged over behavior that, technically, is perfectly legal. Are they that confident they never fail to make the distinction themselves ? What's illegal and what bugs them are perfectly coincident sets?
What's embarrassing is that this is still an issue in 2015. If the temperature makes wearing a shirt a nuisance, it's a nuisance women shouldn't have to tolerate any more than men do.
Speaking only for mysef , I rather see a lady topless than see her butt-ckeeks hanging out of her 'Daisy Duke' shorts and yes , I would have my camera ready .
A much needed post , Ladies have rights .
Just my humble opinion .
Somehow, I feel I am detecting a little double entendre...HA!
ReplyDeleteBut I know you support women's rights so it's okay. You are dead right about social taboos and the law. That police officer was perfectly aware of the women's rights. It has been the law for nineteen years.
He was personally offended by their demonstration. He was in the wrong but I do understand that he may have been trying to protect the women. He may have daughters at home. Who knows what went through his mind.
Whatever these ladies may think, breasts will probably always be sexual objects to western men. Guys can't change their nature.
The original issue twenty years ago started out as a 'breast feeding in public' issue and grew from there.
Our government is made up, mostly, of men and they thought it was a great idea, naturally, and it would shut women up about women's rights for a while. They don't understand that it represents the totality of women's rights and if we have to go bare breasted to bring attention to them, we will. Women of my great grandmother's generation chained themselves to the fence at Ten Downing Street to bring attention to women's right to vote.
Ladies who let their butt cheeks hang out to attract attention will get the kind they deserve.
Thank you for your support,
Your friendly neighborhood Genie