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As part of the GoTopless.org movement, a protest in which around 30 women bared their breasts in public in pushing for what they termed equality with men was held Aug. 21 in downtown Asheville. It drew around 2,000 gawkers, mainly men, many of whom kept busy shooting pictures with their cellphone cameras. At top right, one of the topless women stands atop the fountain near the Vance Memorial. Outraged at what they contended was child sexual abuse, a counterprotest was held Aug. 21 near the Vance Memorial that drew around 100 people, who eventually marched (above) to City Hall before disbanding. State law does not forbid women from going topless in public, but the protesters sought to show solidarity to end the stigma of doing so. Meanwhile, the opponents have filed complaints with the Buncombe County Department of Social Services, state attorney general and State Bureau of Investigation, charging that children were illegally exposed to the sight of female breasts, and some minor females bared their breasts during the Aug. 21 topless protest.

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