BRADENTON, Fla. _ Lizzy Martinez, who decided not to wear a bra to high school one day this month and was then told by school administrators to hide her nipples, is holding a "bracott" with fellow Braden River High School students on Monday.
Participating girls will forgo their bras and instead attach them to their backpacks, and participating boys will place bandages over their shirts _ a reference to the April 2 incident in which school officials asked Martinez to put on a second shirt and then cover her nipples with bandages.
Martinez, 17, said the bracott is a form of silent protest that speaks not only to what happened at the school, but also what happens around the country.
"Besides the incident on Monday, I think it's been an ongoing issue that women have these standards that they have to supposedly live up to, even with the women's rights march; the Me Too movement," she said. "I think it's all very relevant."
A divide appeared on social media after Martinez's story spread across the country and the world. While many were shocked that someone would leave home without a bra, others were equally shocked that it was an issue to begin with.
She said the divide has existed for decades, citing a bra-burning movement in the 1960s. Many celebrated liberation and the message behind leaving a bra at home or downright destroying it. Others looked on in horror.
A flood of support keeps Martinez going as she faces an equal amount of hate from online commenters. Monday's bracott, she said, is a chance to push for positive changes in Florida's Manatee County and beyond.
The county school district declined to comment. The district has previously stated that actions were taken to prevent a similar incident, adding that school administrators were trying to correct a dress-code violation.
"I've always wanted to see some sort of education to students on not stigmatizing and objectifying bodies in general," Martinez said.
