[b]if you live in or near Austin, you may want to change your plans Saturday to attend[/b]

[url]http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,45058,00.html[/url]
AUSTIN — Bare breasts can incite a riot, the police said, so they weren't going to allow them at this year's Mardi Gras celebration. The very idea stirred naked anger in Caroline Estes.


So the 43-year-old businesswoman decided to organize a downtown protest for hundreds of women (and a few men), to take off their shirts in the city's Sixth Street entertainment district Saturday night.

Dare to bare, she said, and dare the police to do anything about it.

"I'm not any kind of topless dancer or porn star," Estes said. "It's not a sexual issue. It's just insulting that they say men can't control themselves in the presence of a bare breast."

Austin police had warned that women who exposed their breasts would be ticketed for disorderly conduct, which carries a fine of up to $500.

Under state law, disorderly conduct includes making a display that tends to immediately breach the peace.

After news of her protest spread, Estes said police agreed Thursday to allow her to stage her event between 11 p.m and 11:30 p.m. at a dedicated intersection.

Estes said she didn't know what would happen to women who take off their shirts somewhere else or at a different time. Police officials scheduled a 4 p.m. news conference and did not immediately return telephone calls seeking comment.

"I doubt they'll ticket anyone. They're in favor of breasts," Estes said.

Authorities cited the breast baring traditions of Mardis Gras as a factor in fighting that broke out during celebrations last year. Police had to subdue hundreds of people when several teen-agers started fighting after a woman displayed her breasts.

Austin has long been considered a liberal bastion in a conservative state, a city where state government bureaucrats live alongside dot-comers, University of Texas students and musicians looking for their big break in the "live music capital of the world."

Estes, who said she has not bared her breasts on Sixth Street in the past, said Austin has a long tradition of allowing women to go topless in some areas, such as concerts, the Barton Springs swimming area and during Mardis Gras, when women often expose their breasts in exchange for colorful plastic beads.

She passed out fliers to drum up support and says at least 250 people have committed to participate.

"I want to keep Austin liberal and happy and fun," Estes said.

She scoffs at the idea that police would use male hormones as an excuse to ban the breast baring.

"It's not the breasts that caused a riot, it's the drunken teen-age males. Why don't they just do an ID check?" on drinkers, she said.

And while the demonstration will no doubt be an eyeful, Estes won't promise that it won't also be an eyesore.

"I'm 43," she said. "The only riot my breasts are going to cause might be people stampeding the other way."

The Austin city attorney has pointed out 2 things: (1) it is NOT illegal for a woman to wander about topless anytime she wants in Austin, (2) it IS illegal to attempt to prevent a woman from wandering about topless if she wants to.

Austin PD has decided they will forget the idea.

You know what would be nice???

If all these "deep thinkers" pulling their shirts up over their head would fight for something that IS actually CLEARLY Constitutionally protected - like the Second Amendment.

THAT would be nice.

Reminds me of the fall of Rome - where people were more concerned that their favorite form of entertainment was available (and Constitutionally protected [rolleyes] ) , rather than fighting things that could actually cause the fall of the Republic.

Not being able to show off your hooters will NOT threaten our nation. Losing our Second Amendment will.

My $0.02. All "sales" are final. No refund, no returns.

Ban all breasts. For the children.

Hey, waittaminnit... breasts are for children!

Now what do we do?

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"I'm 43," she said. "The only riot my breasts are going to cause might be people stampeding the other way."

Lady, a topic of debate, let's have a peek [:P]

(What I think was ) your obvious humor aside, you are missing my point.

These types of protests are like swabbing the deck while the ship is sinking.

Its misdirected effort. "Free speech" (which is the usual claimed Constitutional right of those who like to tittilate (pun intended )in this fashion) becomes irrelevant and non-existent WHEN the Second Amendment goes away.

I just wish the "unwashed masses" would get as righteously indignant about foundational rights as they do about tittie bars (or Mardi gras)

Do you really care if they're legally topless ?

Yes. Boobies is better when not being hauled into a squad car. [:(]

And yet another perk for those who 'serve'.

I live in Austin.  Which intersection?  [:D]

I agree with Spearweasel.  I have yet to see any topless women in public in Austin.  Perhaps women are unaware of their rights?  Perhaps some edumacation is needed?

From what I remember, Bourbon Street was boob heaven.

ckapsi, I think that the boob show is on the corner of 6th and Trinity.  Where are you in Austin?  I'm off Slaughter myself.

I'm 100% in support of these brave freedom fighters.

chida, not too far away, I live near Wm. Cannon and Brodie Lane.

I think we should be there, bare shoulder to bare shoulder with these great defenders of these important boo.., er freedoms, that we eyeb.., er enjoy.

A few years back here in N.Y. "THE TOP FREE SEVEN" won a court case allowing women the right to go topless just like men. Now only if they would exercise that right more often!

I wanna go......unfortunately, I already have better plans.[>(]  

Y'all take pictures and post them, OK?[:P]

ataDude in Plano, Texas