With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Video: Topless Bernie Sanders Supporters Arrested Outside Rally At The Wiltern
Two women were arrested outside of last night's Bernie Sanders rally after going topless in support of the candidate and gender equality.
As crowds lined up outside of Wiltern Theatre on Wednesday to catch a glimpse of the presidential hopeful, they also caught sight of two women who had taken off their shirts, according to the L.A. Times. Both women had tape covering their breasts that read "free the nipple," while one of them had the popular "Feel The Bern" slogan written across her front and back. Police arrived and tried to convince the women to cover up.
"We asked them to put their clothes on and they refused," LAPD Officer Mike Lopez.
Tiernan Hebron and
— Genaro Molina (@GenaroMolina47) March 24, 2016
Anni Ma "Feel the Bern" @BernieSanders rally at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/aXwSwU56qJ
The two women were arrested around 7 p.m., according to ABC 7, and are expected to be booked on a misdemeanor charge of indecent exposure. According to the Times, if they provided proper identification, they will likely be cited and released. In a video of the arrest, the women can be heard shouting "free the nipple" and "fight for gender equality."
Topless women arrested outside Bernie Sanders rallyTwo topless women promoting gender equality outside the Bernie Sanders rally in Los Angeles were arrested for indecent exposure. abc7.la/1VHDwBdThe women could be heard shouting “free the nipple” and “fight for gender equality.”The #FreeTheNipple movement fights for women's rights to be topless in areas where it's permissible for men to be topless.
Posted by ABC7 on Wednesday, March 23, 2016
While their identities have not been officially released, the women have been identified as Tiernan Hebron and Anni Ma. Last week, Ma made another topless appearance at a Sanders rally in Phoenix, where she was said to have been protesting Donald Trump. Sanders even received some flak for commenting on the appearance in a post-rally interview.
Last night's "flash" mob—though not widely attended—was promoted on Instagram as part of Free The Nipple, a film and a gender equality movement that advocates for the right of women to be topless in public.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.

-
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to declare immigration enforcement actions a local emergency.
-
Tens of thousands of workers across Southern California walk out over pay and staffing issues.
-
People in and around recent burn scars should be alert to the risk of debris flows. Typical October weather will be back later this week.
-
Jet Propulsion Laboratory leadership says the cuts amount to 11% of the workforce.
-
The rock legend joins LAist for a lookback on his career — and the next chapter of his music.
-
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain.