Savannah rejects bra display to promote breast cancer awareness

(CBS/AP) SAVANNAH, Ga. - Savannah officials say they do not want bras displayed on a city street - even if the goal is to raise breast cancer awareness.

The Savannah Morning News reports that local radio stations wanted residents to donate bras for an event called "Bras Across Broughton" as part of Breast Awareness Month in October. The garments would be strung across Broughton Street at four major intersections. Officials say a local car dealer had agreed to donate $1 for each bra, up to $5,000.

City officials decided that the planned downtown display was in poor taste and denied the permit request, the newspaper reports.City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney told council members that officials weighed the campaign and "the appropriateness of hanging underwear across one of our main streets."

Caroline Keller, the board president of the local chapter of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast cancer foundation, says similar campaigns have been held in other cities without problems.

But the Morning News reports that many council members, including Tony Thomas, say city staff got this one right.

"We could offend people with inappropriateness," he said. "Do you really want to see Big Mama bras hanging across Broughton Street?"