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Court Upholds Woman's Right To Protest Topless
POSTED: 8:16 am EDT October 13, 2006
UPDATED: 10:49 am EDT October 13, 2006
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- A woman, who was arrested when she exposed her breasts to protest laws that bar women from publicly going bare breasted, can demonstrate topless as part of a legitimate political protest, an appeals court has ruled.
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The Seventh Judicial Circuit Court of Appeals on Oct. 5 upheld a Volusia County judge's opinion that Elizabeth Book could protest while topless on the city's Main Street Bridge.
Book, of Ormond Beach, was arrested by Daytona Beach police and fined $253 during Bike Week in March 2004. The city said she violated an ordinance banning public nudity that was passed in 2002 to curb indecency at special events.
Book's attorney, Lawrence G. Walters, said the latest ruling is a victory for his client, who set out to test laws against nudity because she believes they are unfairly applied to women.
Deputy City Attorney Marie Hartman said the city "respectfully disagrees with the opinion." Hartman said the city is looking into an appeal to the Fifth District Court of Appeal.
Book also faces charges in a separate case, where she was arrested for appearing topless in front of topless Grecian statues near a city auditorium in July 2005. She has been charged with disorderly conduct in connection with the incident.
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