

Ma said that her action was not lewd because mammary glands are not sexual organs, but rather have the purpose of breastfeeding children, and said she believed she did not at any point show her "genitals" or "private parts". After being released, Ma filed a federal lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department. They were held for 25 hours in jail but were not charged with any crime. Los Angeles Police officers asked them to cover their breasts, and the two women refused and were arrested. They appeared topless except for pieces of tape over their nipples, and had the words "Free the Nipple", "Equality", and "Feel the Bern" written on their chests. Were arrested for indecent exposure outside of a campaign appearance for Senator Bernie Sanders on March 23, 2016. Two protesters, Tiernan Hebron and UCSD graduate student Anni Ma In 2014, several celebrities such as Miley Cyrus, Lena Dunham, Chelsea Handler, Rihanna and Chrissy Teigen posted photos on social media to show their support of Esco's initiative. In 2013, Facebook removed these clips from its website for violating its guidelines. As the documentary was being made, she posted teaser clips with the hashtag #FreeTheNipple. She created a documentary of herself running through the streets of New York topless. In 2012, filmmaker Lina Esco started this campaign in New York City.
