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October 10, 2008 6:55:46 PM CDT

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Letting It All Hang Out? Bill Would Put It All Back In

Posted Aug 23, 07 12:14 PM CDT in US,  Arts & Living 

(Newser) – Young men will want to hike up their sagging pants, and women cover up bra straps and exposed thongs if Atlanta’s City Council adopts a proposal to amend the city’s indecency laws, the Journal-Constitution reports. The measure, which would fine violators for exposing boxer shorts, thongs and bras, is discriminatory and won't stand up in court, the ACLU warns.

Supporters say prison-inspired fashion trends send a negative message; an ACLU rep says the “racial profiling bill” targets young black men. Its sponsor, an African-American councilman, said he hopes to spur conversation on hip-hop culture. Adds one mother, "we've gone beyond saying, 'Pull up your pants,' to saying we need to focus on the message our young people are sending."

Source Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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    Bottoms Up! La. Town Gets Down and Dirty In Delcambre, La., showing your skivvies is about to come with criminal consequences, thanks to a new ordinance that prohibits residents from wearing low-hanging pants. Saggy-trousered offenders may be fined $500 and risk 6 months in jail. “They’re better off taking the pants off and just wearing a dress,” the mayor says of the low-riders. More »

Atlanta Councilman C.T. Martin seeks to stop the "epidemic" of baggy pants and visible thongs.   (Shutterstock.com)
"I don't want young people thinking that half-dressing is the way to go. I want them to think about their future," said one Atlanta Councilman.   (Shutterstock.com)
"This is a racial profiling bill that promotes and establishes a framework for an additional type of racial profiling," said Debbie Seagreaves, executive director of the ACLU of Georgia.   (Newser.com archive)
Technically, the legislation would make it illegal to wear a sports bra in public, or even unintentionally reveal a bra strap.   (Shutterstock.com)
Mansfield, LA aldermen have unanimously passed a law requiring pants to be worn at a level that does not expose underwear. Violators will face $150 fines or up to 15 days in jail.   (Shutterstock.com)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Will baggy pants become banned? WMAR ABC2 Baltimore Maryland   (bsin21 (YouTube))

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Tags

Louisiana  • hip-hop  • Atlanta  • culture  • First Amendment  • ACLU  • indecency  • pants  • dress code  • Delcambre


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