KEY POINTS:
Thousands of people blocked Auckland's Queen Street for today's controversial Boobs on Bikes parade.
A legal bid to stop the parade organised by porn distributor Steve Crow to promote his Erotica festival, failed in the High Court in Auckland yesterday.
Police had to force spectators off the road as the parade of topless women on the back of bikes and armoured cars travelled through the central city.
Mr Crow, in a black Bentley convertible, lead the parade of about 100, including drag queens and supporters.
Protesters carrying a banner saying "Pornography fuels sexual violence against women and children" walked in front of the parade.
At one point someone in the crowd threw something at the protest as it was greeted with boos and hisses.
Protest organiser Denise Ritchie from Stop Demand said those that had turned out for the protest were brave.
In some places on Queen St the spectators were 10 deep. Office workers, students, road workers and Auckland Grammar students stood and watched the parade.
Thousands held digital cameras and cell phones while some stood on phone booths, bus shelters and balconies over-looking Queen Street.
A number of people approached by nzherald.co.nz did not want to be filmed.
"Nah, it's all right," one said.
But others said it was a "good thing" for Auckland.
The Fire Service said it had heard rumours of a plot to set off fire alarms in buildings on Queen St, to disrupt the parade.
It said it had put measures in place in case that happened.
- NEWSTALK ZB, NZPA, and NZHERALD STAFF
