Topless Rally in Support of Women’s Rights in Canada

Sisters Arrested for Cycling Top-Less

The top-less lunacy strikes again in Canada. It has been legal since the mid-1990s for women to go topless in Ontario — a fact of which Tameera, Nadia and Alysha Mohamed were keenly aware when they decided to shed their shirts and sports bras after three hours of biking in the region of Kitchener-Waterloo in Friday’s 26 C heat, with a humidex of 31. [12] Before long, they were stopped by a police officer who, they say, told them to put their shirts back on, that it was the law. The girls refused. Brilla says told the officer he was wrong, adding that when she started filming the interaction on her cellphone.  [5] The same officer later said he was stopping them to make sure their bicycles were appropriately outfitted with bells and lights. [5] The incident is building on an ongoing conversation about the sexualization of women’s bodies and the way they are “policed” and “shamed” — terms commonly used by feminist activists. [12]

Ther Sisters Vows to Protest

The sisters are organizing a Bare With Us “top freedom rally” for Saturday in Waterloo.  Although Ontario women have had the legal right to go shirtless for nearly two decades, they “are still not truly free to be topless in public, without facing harassment from passersby and in some cases, uninformed police officers,” the rally organizers said on their Facebook page.  [2]   “It might seem like it’s just toplessness and it might seem like it’s one law or one incident, but all of these issues are connected,” Tameera said. “If women cannot be topless in public, if we are so against the desexualization of women’s breasts, then we cannot solve problems like street harassment and sexual assault and all of these things that are connected to the idea that women’s bodies belong to men.”   Attendees do not have to doff their tops in order to show support, Brilla said. [1]  The event’s organizers have invited “people of all genders” to their march, “revealing as much or as little of their torso as they feel comfortable.” In a bid to encourage those who feel shy while naked, they said the rally was a “celebration of all body shapes and types.” [2]

Hundred of Protesters Marched Top-Less in Waterloo

Dozens if not hundreds of topless women — and men — attended the trio’s “Bare With Us” rally at Waterloo Town Square, meant to educate the public about women’s right to be topless if they so choose.  Some came topless, while others wore a bra or a top, and many chose to be fully clothed. [2]  Local media reports say people were waving placards, banners and sporting body paint with messages including “everyone has the right to NOT be harassed” and “Bare With Us! They’re just boobs!” [5]   Women in Ontario have had the right to go topless in public since 1996, when the Ontario Court of Appeal overturned the conviction of Gwen Jacob, a university student who went topless on a hot summer day in Guelph in 1991. The court found there was “nothing degrading or dehumanizing” about her decision to take off her shirt in public.  Jacob also made an appearance at Saturday’s rally, which the sisters hope to turn it into an annual event. [3]  One of the three sisters who organised the demonstration goes by the stage name Alysha Brilla, and was nominated this year for a Juno award – Canada’s equivalent of a Grammy.  Brilla said she was amazed by all the attention the issue has received since she and her sisters first spoke out.  “I had no idea how polarizing the issue would be. I thought people wouldn’t be so disturbed by the female breast,” she said. “We just want to advocate and let people know that they do have this right.” Protester Diane Brisebois came from Toronto to participate in the event. She said that while woman legally have the right to bare their breasts, it’s important to show young women that they shouldn’t be shamed into covering up. “I think the older generation is very afraid of the harassment that they get, or the ogling, and I think the younger generation is the one who will make the change,” said Brisebois.  The event attracted a number of men who said they were on hand to catch a glimpse of the proceedings.  [7] “I came to see the (breasts),” said Ed Jordan.”No, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that, I support it really,” he added.  Josh Izz filmed as the protesters filed into the streets of Waterloo. He said he was doing it “just for fun” and planned to post the video to Facebook. [7]  At least 300 people showed up, she added.  “It was very, very amazing. It was really well-attended and the people who came were very supportive” she, told CBC News. [3] ‘Waterloo police executive officer Mike Haffner said on Twitter Saturday’s demonstration was ‘respectful, peaceful, safe. [3]