Go Topless Day celebrated in U.S. cities

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NEW YORK, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Sunday was Go Topless Day in cities across America.

In Asheville, N.C., several hundred people turned out to rally in support of women baring their breasts in public. A few dozen of the participants went topless, which the Asheville (N.C.) Citizen-Times noted is allowed under state law.

"All human beings should have equal rights," said Barbara Bradley, 27, of Asheville, who was topless. "Why should we have to hide them and cover them up?"

The topless crowd drew a small group of counter-demonstrators.

"It's about the spiritual wickedness in this city," Michael Lombardi of Asheville said. "We're trying to bring the love of Christ. We're not bashing anyone."

Out on the West Coast, a small number of women went topless in Venice Beach, Calif., Los Angeles' KCBS-TV reported. Leaders of the effort said they will petition President Obama to make Go Topless Day a national event.

The Arizona Republic reported a couple of dozen men and women marched topless down Phoenix's Central Avenue.

"By baring our breasts just as a man, it can bring us closer to gender equality by showing that they are not objects, they are parts of us that we are not ashamed of," marcher Jenn Duffy said.

In New York, topless women turned out by the dozens, some holding signs that read "Free Your Boobs. Free Your Mind," the New York Daily News reported.

Ismael Sani, 25, of New York, said women can walk around naked at home all they want. "But this is a public street. This is not good," Sani said.