Topless activist Phoenix Feeley speaks during a press event following the protest march called the GoTopless Day Parade Sunday. (AP)
NEW YORK — Dozens of bare-chested women taking part in the GoTopless Pride Parade took to the streets of midtown Manhattan on Sunday to counter critics complaining about topless tip-seekers in Times Square.
Appearing bare-breasted has been legal in New York since 1992. But Mayor Bill de Blasio and police Commissioner Bill Bratton say the body-painted women in the square who take photos with tourists are a nuisance.
The mayor even suggested doing away with the pedestrian plaza at the “Crossroads of the World” — to control both the topless women trolling for tips and the costumed cartoon characters, some of whom were arrested last year for accosting non-tipping pedestrians.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the scene harkens to the pornographic “bad old Times Square” of the past.
Sunday’s parade was among dozens of such events in about 60 cities celebrating the worldwide GoTopless Day.
New York GoTopless spokeswoman Rachel Jessee said the goal is for gender equality when it comes to baring one’s chest.
Two Dutch tourists relaxing on the park grass said they didn’t understand all the fuss.
“I don’t know why they’re making such a big deal out of it,” said Paul Martin, 37, of Amsterdam. “There are more important things to worry about than nipples.”
His friend, Leonie van der Maden, agreed. “It’s ridiculous, really! I’m perfectly OK with it. But why do you need to march, if it’s already legal?”