In Pictures: Topless and Unclad Women Take Over Times Square in New York

New York Times Square topless ladies say they will refuse to leave despite city officials desires to confine performers to 'activity zones'.

 

A growing legion of bare-chested ladies wearing only red, white and blue paint over their breasts, thongs, feathery headdresses and high heels, have taken over Times Square, seeking tips by posing with passing men, women and, yes, children.  

 

And facing what they see as a cringe-worthy crisis after decades of scrubbing Times Square's once-sleazy image, some city officials are now proposing to confine topless women as well as the costumed characters working alongside them to designated 'activity zones'.

 

But several of the painted ladies who spoke candidly this past week made it clear that, restrictions or not, they're not going anywhere.

 

29-year old Saira Nicole, who walks the square as part of a topless trio, 'They can't do anything unless they change the Constitution. You're not putting a stop to me, period.'

 

Mayor Bill de Blasio, addressing the problem ripping out Times Square's popular pedestrian plazas entirely, 'I would say, as a human being and a parent, I don't think it's appropriate in the middle of one of the busiest squares in New York City that women should display themselves that way.' 

 

The presence of the topless women reached a peak this summer with reports of some of the women aggressively accosting passers-by, grabbing their arms and urging them to stop and pose.