GoTopless.org vows to hold Asheville demonstration as conservatives aim to disrupt

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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According to its website, GoTopless.org was founded in 2007 by Rael, founder of the so-called “UFO religion” that teaches that life on Earth was scientifically created by aliens. It’s the Raelist group behind last year’s controversial downtown event, slated in 2011 to protest women’s lack of the right to appear topless, but later changed to raise awareness about going topless after organizers found out it is indeed legal to go topless in Asheville.

From an article yesterday on GoTopless.org (link NSFW), about this year’s event in Asheville:

(GoTopless president and spokesperson Nadine Gary) said Asheville conservatives, led by Carl Mumpower and Chad Nesbitt, recently sent a draft resolution to city officials in hopes of thwarting the August 26 event.

“Their resolution stated that last year’s GoTopless rally included, among other things, activities involving sexual performances, fondling of breasts, direct participation by underage minors, and exposure of minors to sexual acts. “These are absurd accusations and they are completely false.”

Mumpower is using the accusations as a political springboard, according to Gary.“To further his political ambitions, he’s taking our event grossly out of context,” she said. “Our upcoming demonstration is just that, a demonstration, and further, it’s a demonstration of something that is perfectly legal in Asheville. In fact, the right to go topless should be acknowledged as a woman’s constitutional rights across the United States.”

She said walking topless in the streets of Asheville has nothing to do with sexuality.

“It is Mr. Mumpower and the other opposing conservatives who are trying to turn our event into something blatantly sexual when it’s not,” Gary said. “This is exactly the point we’re trying to make by having the demonstration. Women are currently forced to hide their breasts because men like Mr. Mumpower can’t look at them without thinking of something sexual. Well, we’re sorry, Mr. Mumpower, but we won’t hide our breasts because of your sexual hang ups.”

Read the whole article here.

Nadine Gary statement on Asheville’s 2011 GoTopless event here.

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

  • 1

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8 Comments

  1. Lu August 2, 2012

    This would be the same Raelian Movement that has sponsored Swastika Rehabilitation Day 3 years running. Oh my.

    Reply
  2. NFB August 2, 2012

    Yawn. Both groups deserve each other.

    Reply
  3. pluckychicken August 2, 2012

    My grandfather told me not to go topless unless Playboy calls. I consider it a prudent business decision.

    Reply
  4. Orbit DVD August 2, 2012

    I also question the motives here. Didn’t last year’s event turn into Daytona Spring Break? What’s the story behind this guy from Huntsville and the Raelians? If he really wants to make a statement, why not have a rally in Alabama?

    Reply
  5. Jack August 2, 2012

    Another point, why are Asheville tax payers paying for and hosting an event that is scheduled by a children’s clown, Jeff Johnson from Huntsville AL, and hosted by a Raelian, Donna Newman from Miami FL?

    Reply
  6. Suzanne August 1, 2012

    As a relatively liberal woman, I do not understand why this demonstration is “necessary”? Maybe I just don’t ‘get it’, but topless women is a topic that’s already legal in NC, so why a demonstration? Though I would rarely agree with Carl Mumpower, I do think this is a totally unnecessary exhibition that proves nothing except provocation and division and, Lord knows, we don’t need any more of that. I also don’t see this as a liberal vs. conservative issue….?? When did we all stop being civil and respectful to one another?

    Reply

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