Quote of note:
Lawyers for the state said no previous group has been allowed to protest on Capitol grounds unclothed. Those protesters who have disrobed were ordered to put their clothes on or face arrest.
"It has always been our policy that we do not allow nudity on the Capitol's grounds," said Tom Marshall, a CHP spokesman.
Allowing public nudity on the Capitol grounds would also be disruptive and possibly dangerous, the state argued.
Stupid question of note:
"Do you think the founding fathers had this in mind when they drafted the First Amendment?" he asked Matthew Kumin, the lawyer representing Breasts Not Bombs.
Judge tosses a blanket on topless protest
Breasts Not Bombs told nudity not part of free-speech rights
- Lynda Gledhill, Greg Lucas, Chronicle Sacramento Bureau
Saturday, November 5, 2005
Sacramento -- A federal judge denied on Friday a request from a group of Mendocino women who wanted to protest topless on the grounds of the state Capitol.
U.S. District Judge Garland Burrell said the group made no compelling argument that showing their breasts constitutes free speech.
"Being topless is not inherently expressive" speech, Burrell said. The group, Breasts Not Bombs, had scheduled a protest for noon Monday. The California Highway Patrol threatened to arrest anyone who went topless.
Sherry Glaser, a leader of the group, said the protest may take place without bare breasts.
"All we really have is the power of ourselves," she said. "Our bodies bring attention."
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Well, now we know what the
Well, now we know what the real threat to the republic is.
"Well, now we know what the
"Well, now we know what the real threat to the republic is."
Yeah. We kinda had a preview of that with Janet Jackson at the Super Bowl and the FCC fines that followed.
As in most things liberal,
As in most things liberal, we Canadians are ahead of you: In Toronto, it is no longer illegal for a woman to be topless in public. Sadly, it's too bloody cold to grin and bare it.
(yeah, yeah...how would have written it?)
Hi. I'm the lawyer who
Hi. I'm the lawyer who tried to get the injunction in federal court. Was trolling on the topic and found this blog and liked the comments. I'm interested in what people are saying about this, both from a legal point of view and political/social perspective. Interestingly, some friends of mine, both lawyers and non-lawyers, have not been supportive of my client's approach. Any thoughts?
Matt Kumin
"Our bodies bring
Yeah, but attention to what? That's the problem. I mean, I like tits as much as the next guy and I don't think women should get arrested for being topless, so topless speeches in the capital should be legal.
But sex is primal. Politics is to a 200 watt bulb as tits are to a lighthouse...turn them both on, which do you think will get noticed?
And what does it add to the discussion beyond the specific nude bodies?