A group of pornography activists say they will pose for photographs constituting “extreme pornographic images” on the streets of central London this weekend.
The publicity stunt is being staged by the Consenting Adult Action Network (CAAN) as a protest against new anti-pornography laws.
It will involve a ‘chain gang’ including “models and activists”, the group says, “who will be bound and gagged in a visual protest against recent government legislation restricting adults’ sexual choices”.
Photographs of the protest will be taken by Ben Westwood, pornography photographer and son of famous fashion designer Vivienne Westwood.
The images would, the group says, fall foul of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill, when it becomes law in January 2009.
The Bill contains a clause outlawing the possession of “extreme pornographic images”.
During a committee debate on the clause, Government minister Maria Eagle said that there was evidence of “some harmful effects from extreme pornography on some who access it”.
This could include, she said, “increased risk of developing pro-rape attitudes, beliefs and behaviours and committing sexual offences.”
In light of the planned protest, Ruth Gledhill of The Times writes that “even consenting adults might want to avoid Westminster for a few days.”