New Yorkers ditched their shirts and joined people around the world Sunday in celebration of International Go-Topless Day.
Around 200 bare-chested men and women chanted “Free your Breasts! Free your mind!” as they proudly marched from Columbus Circle down to Times Square and over to Bryant Park in the name of equality.
“We are lucky to be here and to be able to be topless,” Judith Sherwood, 36, told The Post. “We are here to support the women in states where it is illegal to go topless and breast-feed in public.”
Go-Topless Day falls on the Sunday before Women’s Equality Day, which is on Aug. 26. About a week before that date, in 1920, women earned the right to legally vote with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, which prohibits voter discrimination on the basis of sex — something 17-year-old Connecticut resident Grace DiChristina says is the ultimate reason for traipsing topless through the city streets.
“This is about equality and body image,” she said Sunday.
GoTopless.org fights to ensure women have the same constitutional right as men to go topless in public, according to its Web site.
The topless-and-proud patrons weren’t afraid to speak their minds.
“I developed my breasts in second grade, believe it or not, and I was really ashamed for a long time,” said Brooklyn resident Maggie Sawyer Bawrick. “It feels wonderful to have them out and free and feel comfortable and supported.”
And indeed, men were very supportive of the event.
“I love this!” Tom Parks, 27, told The Post. “This is great!”
“This is the best Sunday ever!” said Jose Ruiz, 34.