SAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Public nudity activists prompted a hearing scheduled for Thursday in San Francisco in which a federal judge will consider blocking a new city law requiring people to wear clothing.

U.S. District Judge Edward Chen has been asked to block the law from going into effect on Feb. 1 while he considers their lawsuit seeking to invalidate the ordinance.

The activists argue that the ban on public nudity violates their First Amendment freedom of speech rights because their nudity is a political statement.

They also argue the law violates equal protection rights because it exempts children younger than 5 and public nudity at certain events such as an annual street fair, the city's Gay Pride Parade and it Bay-to-Breakers foot race, which is noted for the wacky costumes _ or lack thereof _ of participants.

Attorneys representing the city counter that the ban is a matter of public health, safety and the ``general welfare'' of all residents.

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