"Breasts Not Bombs"

Sacramento Action, 11-07-06
(Back)


 Breasts Not Bombs will be demonstrating in On the steps of the Capitol on Monday November 7th because we feel
that spending $8 milliion dollars on this special election is indecent, and the initiatives are harmful to the people of California.

We were asked in Federal Court Friday November 4th what Exposing our breasts have to do with free speech.

We choose this manner because exposing our breasts speaks louder than signs and banners and marching. We feel that Our breasts
express the most powerful, non violent, simple statement to the threats, lies and corruption that dominate the political scene. We say
that our bodies are decent and nurturing and wholesome.

The Women from Breasts Not Bombs are being threatened with arrest for obscene and offensive behavior when we are looking at
government official that lie to grand juries, leak top secret information that compromises the security of the United States, Launder
money, fix intelligence to justify invading a sovereign nation, maintain secret detention centers, exercise torture which violates which
violates the geneva convention. I ask you what is obscene? What is indecent?

So the $64,000.00 question is, will we bare our breasts on Monday?

You'll have to wait and see.

How is ?Breasts not Bombs? related to this Special Election?
We are here to symbolize that we can live in a culture of nurturance
(symbolized by the breast) not a culture of political gain, profits, &
war. While some may think baring our breasts is indecent, we want to
focus on more critical issues of decency challenged in this election.

We reject that exposing our breasts in public is indecent.
We say the Iraq war is indecent, and that this special election is indecent.

• We say that spending $8 million of taxpayers’ money for this special
election for one man’s political gain is indecent.

• We say that supporting a woman’s personal rights is the decent thing
to do. Vote NO on 73.

• We say that supporting teachers not blaming them for the mess our
public schools are in is the decent thing to do. Vote NO on 74.

• We say that keeping unions strong is the decent thing to do. Vote NO
on 75.

• We say that spending $8 million on improving schools, textbooks, and
teachers’ salaries is decent, not spending it on this election. Vote NO
on 76.

• We say that prioritizing the needs of our children is the decent thing
to do. Vote NO on 76.

• We say that giving a governor the power to summarily make budget cuts
and overrule the will of the people is indecent. Vote NO on 76.

• We say that gerrymandering political districts for political gain is
indecent. Vote NO on 77.

• We say that ensuring that our poor and elderly have true discounts for
prescription drugs is the decent thing to do. Vote NO on 78 and YES on 79.

• We say that ensuring our state’s energy is not deregulated is decent.
Vote YES on 80.

• We know this is controversial and that we will be criticized. To our
critics we say--Let’s criticize what is truly indecent -- a man who
gropes women in elevators, calls nurses “special interests”, and demeans
women by calling his opponents “girlie men.”
We are not exhibitionists. We do not do this action easily or blithely.
We as women, have known abuse, violence, & humiliation. But we cannot
sit silent in these times. Do not waste your energy in judgment of us;
use it to further the cause of peace & justice in our world.
Come join us, or take your own stand.

SFGate: SACRAMENTO/
2 topless protesters arrested at Capitol/Breasts Not Bombs opposes governor

(11-08) 04:00 PST Sacramento -- As promised by the California Highway Patrol, two Mendocino women were arrested in front of the Capitol for baring their breasts as part of a political protest Monday.

The two women from Albion, Sheryl Glaser, 45, and Renee Love, 40 -- members of a group called Breasts Not Bombs -- were charged with indecent exposure and disorderly conduct. Both were cited and released, the CHP said.

The group protests topless, Glaser said, to draw attention to its message, which Monday was opposition to what they view as the "indecent" initiatives backed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on today's ballot.

"(We) use our breasts to, yes, get your attention," Glaser told an audience of nearly 100, mostly male listeners, on the front steps of the state Capitol. "The initiatives in this election are a matter of life and death to us."

The CHP, which issues permits for protests on Capitol grounds, has never allowed unclothed protesters. Those who have tried have been stopped. Those who disrobe have been arrested.

On Friday, Breasts Not Bombs failed to win a temporary restraining order in federal court to prevent the CHP from arresting its members.

The protesters argued that not being able to bare their breasts violated their right to political expression. The judge disagreed, saying being topless was not "inherently expressive speech."

Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, spoke at Monday's protest, saying it was sex discrimination for the CHP to arrest women for removing their tops but not men.

"What's the difference between a male or female areola?" Romero asked. "Is it the size? Do we take out our measuring tape? I know women who are a size 31 AAA. I also know men who have larger breasts than women."

Romero, holding a fat volume of the state penal code, then urged CHP officers not to arrest any women and, after her remarks, harangued several officers standing near the protest, questioning why they should arrest anyone.

Before Glaser and Love removed their tops, several other members of the group did the same but left their bras on. One woman wore yellow star-shaped pasties.

Glaser said she didn't want to be arrested and started to cry as she talked about her children and the school report she was supposed to help one of them with later in the day.

Then she removed her black top, and several CHP officers moved in to arrest her. They led her toward the Capitol and wrapped a cloth around her before escorting her inside. She was surrounded by a crowd of television cameras and reporters.

When asked why she violated the CHP's admonition, she replied: "The First Amendment."

When Love removed her top, it went unnoticed for several minutes while the CHP and reporters focused on Glaser. The CHP then arrested Love without incident, although other participants in the protest were shouting, "Shame on you," to the officers.

No Charges Filed:

The Sacramento D.A's decision not to file charges opens up an exciting world of possiblilities and a feeling
of security for Breasts Not Bombs. We are relieved of our defendant status and happy to return to the courts
as plaintiffs again soon. Ms. Scully's statement that "nudity without sexual intent" does not violate sections 314
and 647(a) is in direct contrast to the decision of Judge Garland Burrell, which affirmed the California Highway
Patrol's position that they had cause to arrest us. Ms. Scully goes on to say that "the conduct here clearly had a
political, not a sexual intent." Ms. Love and I feel several of our civil rights were violated by our arrest and incarceration.
We will take advantage of the law to redress the state of that fact. We can use this decision by the District Attorney to
further explore this unorthodox method of protest that we have chosen. We'll keep you abreast.

Here's the decision:


Lt. Allen Stallman
California Highway Patrol
1801 - 9th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: File No. 51378AN; suspect Sheryl Lynn Glaser
File No. 51379AN; suspect Renee Suzanne Love

Dear Lt. Stallman:

This concerns the above cases, submitted to our office for prosecution. In the course of a political demonstration on the grounds
of the State Capitol, both suspects completely exposed their breasts. They were arrested for violating Penal Code section 314

(indecent exposure), 647(a) (lewd act in a public place), and Government Code section 14685 (violation of CHP regulation on
state property).

Both section 314 and section 647(a) require a sexual intent. Nudity without sexual intent does not violate these statutes. See

Robins v. County of Los Angeles (1966) 248 Cal.App.2d 1, at 10-11; Barrows v. Municipal Court of Los Angeles (1970)
1 Cal.3d 821; Boreta Enterprises v. Department of Alcholic Beverage Control (1970) 2 Cal.3d 85, at 99; In re Smith (1972)
7 Cal.3d 362, at 366; Pryor v. Municipal Court of Los Angeles (1979) 25 Cal.3d 238, at 255-57; In re Dallas W. (2000) 85
Cal.App.4th 937. The conduct here clearly had a political, not a sexual, intent.

As to Government Code section 14685, no CHP regulation for the use of state property prohibits mere nudity. The permit for the
demonstration was sought and granted in the name of the organization "Breasts Not Bombs." The officer who granted the permit
discussed breast exposure with the permit applicant, and the permit itself refers to "any person who exposes private parts," but
both the pre-permit discussion and the written permit expressly referred to violations of sections 314 and 647(a). Since the conduct
here did not violate those statutes, we do not believe a jury would conclude the applicant either mislead the officer who issued the
permit, or violated the terms of the permit.

Under the circumstances, we will file no criminal charges in this matter.

Sincerely yours,

JAN SCULLY
DISTRICT ATTORNEY



ALBERT C. LOCHER
Assistant Chief Deputy

Breasts Under Arrest: Sacramento Capitol Steps!

Feedback Regarding our Action

Of Special Interest:

This is a audio interview Sherry did on Breasts not Bombs on KPFA in San Francisco, a day
before her Topfree protest. Sherry's interview is 45 minutes into the program. Click here for the
audio report:

http://www.kpfa.org/archives/index.php?arch=8853&page=5&type=

The cameras were there during the topfree arrests. Click here and then on the video icon at the
top right of the screen to view the video. This is actual footage of top free arrest in Sacramento.
Fox had to use some mighty big blurs
> http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_311233001.html

Another photo of the topfree arrests and a report:

http://www.newsreview.com/issues/sacto/2005-11-10/bites.asp

Small audio clip from N.P.R. radio. Click here:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4994050&ampsourceCode=RSS
----------------------------------------

More Blogs: These are conversations about Breasts Not Bombs on the Blogs

http://ethics.tamucc.edu/comments.pl?sid=05/11/07/1618218

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1901373

> http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0511/08/lad.03.html ....(Scroll down
about half way for CNN's report)

More Sites with Pictures of Our Protests:

http://flickr.com/photos/jaytamboli/46793979/

http://flickr.com/photos/48954456@N00/46453233/

http://flickr.com/photos/blainepen/46284706/

http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source/search/details_pop.aspx?iid=55773165&cdi=0

http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source/search/details_pop.aspx?iid=55773134&cdi=0

http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source/search/details_pop.aspx?iid=55773130&cdi=0

http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source/search/details_pop.aspx?iid=55773003&cdi=0

http://www.pbase.com/kayakbiker/image/49853408

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2985/810/1600/DSCF0401.jpg


To see a large Flickr photos, Click on the top left of the photo, where it says 'All Sizes'

http://www.flickr.com/photos/digitalgrace/51810354/ Caption here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/digitalgrace/51445118/in/photostream/ Caption here !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/billyhunt/53475722/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/billyhunt/53475754/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilliant/47439076/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16877202@N00/46251404/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48954456@N00/46450371/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62308226@N00/48235736/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62308226@N00/48235737/in/photostream/

http://flickr.com/photos/codywyoming/62965342/

http://flickr.com/photos/codywyoming/62965302/

http://flickr.com/photos/codywyoming/62965277/

http://flickr.com/photos/btjones/47348924/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/evill1/46524100/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56432120@N00/47730562/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54207333@N00/46702973/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54207333@N00/46702920/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/85541381@N00/56353712/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlliu/55073181/

http://flickr.com/photos/jaytamboli/46793979/

http://flickr.com/photos/stuntedgrowth/46479668/

http://flickr.com/photos/stuntedgrowth/46479091/

http://flickr.com/photos/48954456@N00/46453233/

http://flickr.com/photos/blainepen/46284706/

To see large orangeclouds photos, click at the bottom of the original photo where it says ' other sizes'.

http://orangeclouds115.zoto.com/user/image_detail/IMG.18.7aec7805055e84b03647b3c2ab60ba2e-_CAT.0_DET.1/date-desc/0-30

http://orangeclouds115.zoto.com/user/image_detail/IMG.0.8ae6c74b3446372e60cd97a9b0994681-_CAT.0/date-desc/0-30

http://orangeclouds115.zoto.com/user/image_detail/IMG.15.7d1693025abc05ea120bf339151df4a7-_CAT.0/date-desc/0-30

http://orangeclouds115.zoto.com/user/image_detail/IMG.14.7ea7a90ed52adca2cbfb57427ab58d6c-_CAT.0/date-desc/0-30

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/11/8/134419/074

http://www.wnpj.org/node/870

http://www.brainshrub.com/adventures/dcpeacemarch2005/breasts-not-bombs.jpg

http://www.capecodpeaceandjustice.org/imgs/s24dc_gallery/pages/page_20.html

http://www.thevillager.com/villager_127/protestpotpourri.html