Topless parade given go-ahead by judge

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- A judge in Auckland, New Zealand, has ruled against the city's attempt to halt a parade featuring topless women on bikes.

Steve Crow, a pornography entrepreneur and organizer of the "Boobs on Bikes" parade, said after the ruling that the event will go forward as scheduled Thursday, the Wellington Dominion Post reported Tuesday.

Judge Nicola Mathers rejected the Auckland City Council's attempt to obtain an interim injunction to prevent the parade on the grounds that the idea is offensive. She said in her ruling that while the parade may be tacky, she does not agree that it is offensive and the city has no laws preventing women from being bare-breasted in public.

"This was an incredibly balanced and well thought out and complete decision and I am amazed that any person can listen to all we heard in the court and reach that decision in 24 hours," Crow said after the decision.