The unclad marchers, which some reports counted at up to 300, held signs bearing slogans including “women’s breasts are family friendly” and “desexualize boobies.”
“He’s exacerbating the situation and reinforcing the stigma,” Gary told The Wall Street Journal. “Leave them alone, it’s no big deal. This will pass as women become more comfortable showing their breasts.”
De Blasio spokeswoman Karen Hinton said being unclad is “not at issue.”
“The mayor is troubled by the aggressive solicitation of both tourists and residents for money,” she said.
Katie Lombardo, 26, an event coordinator from Long Island, posed for photos with spectators during the march.
“Free your mind! Free your nipples!” the New York Daily News quoted her as shouting during the event. “Men can walk around shirtless all the time. Why can’t we? I love it. This is about the genders being equal.”
GoTopless Day events were planned in about 60 other cities Sunday, including Los Angeles and Chicago.
UPI