Back in July we reported on one of the most draconian laws to hit street fashion in recent times: a Florida town's decision to ban baggy trousers.
The charge to ban anyone from wearing jeans two inches below their waistline (thus exposing – shock horror – their boxer shorts) was led by Ocala councilwoman Mary Rich. She said at the time: "I just think it's disgraceful to show your underwear. We try to be a nice, clean city. I think it'll help clean it up some."
The new law stated that first time offenders would be warned by police, but repeated low-riders would be slapped with a $500 fine and a potential sentence of up to six months behind bars.
Unsurprisingly, the ban faced heavy criticism and the threat of legal action. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) threatened Ocala lawmakers with legal action, with spokesperson Dale Landry pointing out the obvious: "I'm sorry, but it's black males that are the subject of this."
On Tuesday, a 4-1 vote in the local council quashed the law. Mary Rich must be disappointed – she thought the law would go some way to "improving the morals" of young people in Ocala (or maybe it was just a convenient way of improving city finances with pointless fines).
As you were, Ocala – get back to saggin' on city turf.
