A literal-minded activist supporting Virginia's ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment exposed her breast Monday while recreating the commonwealth’s seal, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.
Capitol Police in Richmond arrested Michelle Renay Sutherland, 45 — whose address was listed as Florida, and charged her with indecent exposure after giving her a warning, the news outlet reported.
The state seal shows the Roman goddess Virtus, representing the commonwealth, holding a spear and sword with her left foot on the form of Tyranny, represented by the prostate body of a man.
According to the Times-Dispatch, a few passersby appeared uncomfortable when they saw the public display of a naked breast. One GOP lawmaker, Del. Chris Peace, recalled when former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli gave his staff lapel pins with Virtus' breast covered, the news outlet reported.
Sutherland, who goes by the name "Sister Leona," is with a group called Radical Matriarchy, and her fellow protester Natalie White of New York City — who was arrested last week outside the office of GOP House Speaker Kirk Cox — is with a group called Equal Means Equal, the news outlet reported.
The Virginia Senate in January voted to pass a resolution for Virginia to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, but it died in a state House subcommittee.
ERA supporters said if Virginia were to ratify the amendment it would become part of the Constitution, but opponents argue that the possibility of that has expired, the news outlet reported.
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