When a group of women had their request to mark National Go Topless Day denied by Toronto officials, they whipped off their tops in protest.

More than 20 topless women from gotopless.org marched to demand the same public chest-baring rights as men, after the local authorities told them they could only get their kit off on Hanlan’s Point, a nudist beach.

Protest coordinator Diane Brisebois said, “If men are allowed to be topless, we should be allowed too. For us, it’s about equal rights.” A parks department spokesman said the municipal code demanded groups be “properly attired”. To prove their point, male demonstrators were asked to wear bikini tops.

Picture credit: Rex Features

Women go topless in protest