A judge has ruled a Maryland resort town can continue for now to enforce an ordinance prohibiting topless women in public while a lawsuit challenging the ordinance continues.
The Daily Times of Salisbury reports Chief Judge James Bredar of the U.S. District Court of Maryland ruled Tuesday in the case involving Ocean City.
Officials had passed the emergency ordinance in June, and several women filed suit earlier this year against the city. The woman argued it was their constitutional right to appear topless in public, like men.
Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan told the paper in an emailed statement that town officials were pleased with the preliminary decision.
A plaintiffs' attorney said in a separate statement that the women were not discouraged.
The case is expected to continue.
