SYDNEY: More than 50 people stripped yesterday in a naked protest against the revocation of the 17-year right to bathe nude on Reef Beach to the north of Sydney Harbour.
Under the watch of three beach inspectors and a battery of media, the protesters bared all during a rally calling for the restoration of their right to use the isolated 100-metre beach near Manly, given over to nude bathing in 1976.
Activist Mr Bob Reed said about 300 people turned out for the rally, which was addressed by New South Wales state parliamentarian Mr Richard Jones.
''I do not think the human body is obscene,'' said Mr Jones, a member of the NSW upper house.
Mr Jones and Mr Reed were the first of 20 people to be issued with a summons for removing their clothes on a public beach and face a fine of A$20 (HK$105).
But Mr Reed said he would fight the summons and declared yesterday's action ''merely the start of our campaign to keep Reef Beach.'' Nude bathing at the beach was sanctioned by then-NSW premier Mr Neville Wran 17 years ago after similar beach actions against prohibition, though it remains officially illegal.
Sydney has several other beaches designated ''unclad''.