SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) _ An appeals court panel has upheld a Springfield
ordinance that prohibits women from showing their nipples and areolas in public.
The Springfield News-Leader reports the ruling Monday from a three-judge panel
of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals is the latest in a four-year controversy
that began when some women wearing pasties walked shirtless through Springfield.
After that protest, the Springfield City Council passed an ordinance
prohibiting women from showing their nipples in public. The advocates and the
ACLU sued, saying the ordinance discriminated against women.
A federal judge upheld the ordinance in 2017.
In its ruling Monday, the appeals court panel said Springfield’s ordinance is
related to the government’s interest in promoting public decency.
ACLU of Missouri’s Legal Director Tony Rothert said he hoped the full Eight
Circuit Court would consider the case.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI