DOZENS of women have walked topless through downtown Portland, in the US state of Maine, in order to bring attention to what they claim is a double standard when it comes to the public display of upper torsos.

Event organiser, Ty MacDowell, told myFOXmaine.com she set up Saturday's event - with a police escort - because she could.

Maine's nudity laws only apply to exposed genitals.

Ms MacDowell said she was surprised by the number of men who showed up with cameras.

"I'm really upset by the men … all the men that are here, just like watching it like it's a parade," she said.

"We should be able to walk down the street and not have this many men taking pictures of us," a participant shouted.

Some bystanders said they were upset at the spectacle on a sunny weekend in the historic city centre, saying children were present.

The walk went off without any problems and organisers said they expect to plan similar events in the future.

Read more about the topless women street protest in Portland at myFOXMaine