'Boobs on bikes' gets OK
2006-08-21 09:37
Auckland - Police and the Auckland council said on Monday they would not stop a controversial proposed motorcycle parade of topless porn stars down the main street of New Zealand's largest city to advertise an erotica expo.
"In the opinion of the police, given the standards of decency observed in this day and age, a female being topless in a parade on a weekday in Queen Street will not in itself constitute an indecent act," police inspector Rob Abbott said in a letter quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
Council chief executive David Rankin, asked by mayor Dick Hubbard to consider banning the event, said, "The Boobs on Bikes parade will go ahead, as of right now. There is no legal reason why the parade cannot proceed."
Hubbard said last week that the parade, scheduled for Wednesday, was "totally inappropriate because it's shamelessly promoting a pornography trade show," and 13 councillors signed a petition demanding it be stopped.
Police said they would monitor the parade to make sure road rules were observed, including the law requiring that all motorcycle riders wear helmets. - Sapa-dpa
- SAPA