Nudity in Times Square: desnudas

desnudas--topless women with painted chests who work for tips in Times Square. The women started appearing in Times Square, causing a tabloid war and a fear that the Mayor would rip up the new Times Square tourist area to stop the nudes, the sleazy Elmos and the action figures who swarm the tourists. Some desnudas have been arrested for assaulting photographers who refuse to pay. One woman was busted on prostitution charges. Many of them are from South America. They earn as much as $300 for a 10-hour day. The desnudas often pay 30 percent to a man who acts s a handler and bodyguard.

Male and female toplessness is legal in New York City and has been upheld by the courts. The densudas, like the Elmos, the bucket drummers and superheroes are all forced into "designated activity zones" (DAZ), large painted squares on the pavement, to ply their trade.