DAYTONA BEACH, FL — Americans are uniquely obsessed with women’s breasts and topless protester Elizabeth Book is more than a little bit sick of it. Although violating the social taboo has become a signature form of protest for her, it’s also earned her to false arrests. Recent changes to the Daytona Beach, FL could make future arrests stick, however – and Book things that’s a very bad thing for women and free speech.Initially arrested in March 2004 for baring her breasts during Bike Week, she was again arrested in July 2005. In each case, the charges against her were dismissed because bare-breasted protests aren’t illegal, even if they are unusual.
As Book sees it, unlike her protests, her arrests weren’t legal.
Now the city has amended its nudity ordinance to make sure the next time she or any other women dares to remove a blouse and bra for any reason, they can be punished.
Book is challenging the changes, which include language from federal court rulings, because she believes they are an attempt by the city to “end run” her previous victories. According to the Associated press, her attorney, Lawrence Walters, describes the changes as a violation of separation of powers.
Book is seeking unspecified damages for her arrests – and has another protest planned in a week.
