‘Go Topless’ through Venice Beach
Women's Equality Day 2019 is almost here. Taking place one day before the official Women’s Equality Day date, Aug. 26, tourists and locals alike were treated for GoTopless’ 12th anniversary with a parade through the Venice waterfront in Los Angeles, California.
The parade’s goal is to raise awareness about gender inequality. It was another hot day on the Venice boardwalk but that didn’t deter passerbyers from taking a quick break from their walk to hear what the topless activists had to say.
“Free your breasts! Free your mind!” was chanted through the speakers underneath a pair of pink breasts. But, not all the people who attended the event were happy about the topless advocates. A small group of concerned citizens protested the event on the opposing side of the walkway.
“They’re not going to stop at topless.” said Reuben Israel, a self-described ‘firm bible believer’ protesting the event. Israel added, “Let’s face it, they’re going to go for full nudity once topless gets done.”
Protestors marching at the annual GoTopless.org protest at Venice Beach, CA on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019. (Marco Pallotti/The Corsair)
A woman in front of a sign brandishing Biblical verse John 14:6 shouted at the passerbyers with a megaphone, “Pick up your cross today and tell God I don’t want to live this way anymore, perverted life.”
While Venice Beach security was ready for uproar, the scene was relatively peaceful with nothing more than harsh language and occasional threats of God’s wrath.
A counter-protestor holds a bible at the annual GoTopless.org protest march at Venice Beach, CA on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019. (Marco Pallotti/The Corsair)
Erica (did not wish to give a last name), a first time attendee helping out with the event, said, “I respect them [Christian protesters]. Those are their thoughts. That is what they really feel in their hearts.”
As the crowd grew larger and larger it became time for the parade to take off. Busting through the waterfront walkway to the sound of Aretha Franklin, the topless advocates chanted to the crowd of people following them.
Jose Cabrera, a topless supporter, said, “My wife and I came to support the legalization of toplessness for everybody.” Today, GoTopless encourages people from all genders to join the parade and march with them into a new tomorrow for gender equality.