Wednesday, February 22, 2012
City prosecutors drop case against topless protesters
POSTED: 03:52 p.m. HST, Sep 30, 2011
LAST UPDATED: 04:12 p.m. HST, Sep 30, 2011
City prosecutors have dismissed the case against a couple cited with demonstrating in Waikiki last month without first obtaining a city permit.
The couple, University of Hawaii students Jamie and Tess Meier, were demonstrating topless Aug. 21 to advocate gender equality as part of a nationwide protest.
The prosecutors said today that they were dismissing the citations “in the interest of justice” after consulting with the Honolulu Corporation Counsel lawyers and learning of their concerns on the “possible over-breadth” of the ordinance.
The two were cited under the ordinance that required a permit for a meeting or gathering of two or more persons.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii earlier maintained that the ordinance was unconstitutional and they would challenge the charges.
Topless, permitless protest will go unprosecuted by city
ACLU challenges protest citations
