Women bikers hold topless protest in Berlin after police told sunbathing topless mother to cover up when she was at water park with her children
Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets of Berlin today for a topless bicycle ride as they demand gender rights equality and raise awareness of a French mother who was kicked out of a city park for sunbathing without a top on.
The 'no nipple is free until all nipples are free' protest began at Berlin's Mariannenplatz at midday on Saturday July 10, with hundreds of men and women turning out for the topless demonstration.
The public action was hastily organised after a French mother, Gabrielle Lebreton, was removed from a Berlin water park by police last month after she refused to stop sunbathing without her shirt on.
Men covered themselves up in bras, while shirtless women cycled through the city with phrases such as 'Free the Boobs' and 'My body, my choice' emblazoned on their bodies.
Hundreds of shirtless protesters have taken to the streets of Berlin to campaign for gender rights equality after a French mother was kicked out of a water park for sunbathing without a top on
Men covered themselves up in bras and bikinis, while shirtless women cycled through the city with phrases such as 'Free the Boobs' and 'My body, my choice' emblazoned on their bodies
The protesters argue there is a double standard when it comes to difference between accepting the right of men sunbathing topless, while women cannot
A shirtless activist with a slogan 'Free The Boobs' rides on the back of moped during Berlin's 'No nipple is free until all nipples are free' protest on Saturday, July 10
Topless participants demonstrate for equal gender rights at a demonstration held on bicycles on July 10, 2021 in Berlin, Germany
Men covered themselves with bras, bikinis and other exaggerated outfits as they joined in with demonstrations
The group behind the demonstrations today call themselves Hedonist International, with their website demanding equality and describing all nipples as beautiful.
The dress code was strictly topless, but feather boas, tinsel, wigs and body painting was encouraged. Men 'standing in solidarity' with women today were advised to wear a bra, bikini or nipple 'pom poms'.
Topless demonstrations came to fruition after French citizen Gabrielle Lebreton was removed by security in Berlin's Treptower Park for refusing to sunbathe with a shirt on.
According to local media, she and a friend had taken two children to play in the swim park, and Gabrielle was wearing a swimsuit.
When asked by guards to cover her breasts, she repeatedly questioned why she had to do that. She refused to put her top on, pointing to the fact men can sunbathe freely in the park without a top.
Protesters from the Hedonist International take part in a topless bicycle ride under the slogan 'no nipple is free until all nipples are free'
The dress code was strictly topless, but feather boas, tinsel, wigs and body painting was encouraged. Men 'standing in solidarity' with women today were advised to wear a bra, bikini or nipple 'pom poms'
An activist with a slogan 'Free ALL nipples' takes part in a rally in the Kreuzberg quarter in Berlin, Germany
Protesters rode bicycles in solidarity with French citizen Gabrielle Lebreton and demanded equal gender rights
Partial nudity isn't banned by law in Germany, although property owners can place certain restrictions on specific areas they own.
Gabrielle told Berlin Zeitung being removed by police officers was an opportunity to 'draw attention to the unequal treatment of men and women, and organised an 'equal breasts for all' brainstorming meeting.
She said: 'The misogynistic incident at the wading pool in Plänterwald on Sunday, 21 June, serves as a springboard to this goal.'
French citizen Gabrielle Lebreton was removed by security in Berlin's Treptower Park for refusing to sunbathe with a shirt on