About 30 protest restaurant's breastfeeding policy (Ft Myers FL)

[struggle4progress]

By MATT CLARK contact

Saturday, September 8, 2007

As the sun raged Saturday afternoon, so did the breastfeeding protesters. They stood in defiance: Uncovered as hundreds of motorists passed by on U.S. 41 in South Fort Myers.

“We’re nursing our babies, we’re just nourishing them,” said Deborah Kane, 38, as her 14-month old son, Jordan, suckled. “We’re not doing anything wrong, and I think there’s definitely something wrong with people thinking that it’s dirty or obscene.”

About 30 parents and children joined Kane in front of the Applebee’s restaurant on the southwest corner of Cypress Lake Drive and U.S. 41. They gathered to protest the international chain’s breastfeeding policy and to bring awareness to legal, natural “family dining,” as one sign put it.

“It’s absolutely natural, it’s been going on since the beginning of time,” said Kane’s husband, David Kane, 66 ...

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/sep/08/about_30_protest_restaurants_breastfeeding_policy/?breaking_news

[Richard Steele]

1. Oh, Struggle!

:popcorn:

[struggle4progress]

2. Breast-Feeding Protest Held In Lexington (KY)

Mother Sparks Applebee's Protest
POSTED: 6:54 pm EDT September 8, 2007
UPDATED: 7:34 pm EDT September 8, 2007

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Dozens of people rallied in front of an Applebee's restaurant in Lexington Saturday to support a woman who said she was told to cover up while breast-feeding her son.

Brooke Ryan said she was breast-feeding her 7-month-old son at the restaurant in June when a manager asked her to cover up.

Kentucky state law prohibits any interference with a breast-feeding mother.

Ryan did not attend the event for "personal reasons" but protesters said they are tired of being criticized for something that is a natural process ...

http://www.wlky.com/news/14074419/detail.html

[alfredo]

12. It made the TV news here. That's great. I've never eaten there,

and I won't until they come to their senses. I'm in Lexington Ky

[WorseBeforeBetter]

3. Not all think it's "dirty or obscene"...

it just might be that they don't want their Grilled Shrimp Dippers with a side order of 14-month old suckling at his mother's teat. Not everyone is comfortable with it, and you can't force them to be. A lightweight drape seems to be a reasonable compromise.

[lligrd]

6. Hmm, Perhaps Those People Should Stay Home

where they can control their environment and live in complete safety of not having to witness a baby having dinner.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

7. No, that's not the solution.

I don't have children, but if I did, I would have breast-fed. And when in a public place, I would have covered up discreetly with a lightweight drape. Why? Because I'm a mature adult and realize that not everyone is comfortable with it and I wasn't put on this planet to try to force them to be. I don't understand why this is so difficult.

[lligrd]

9. I'm For Live And Let Live

If something someone is doing offends you, you are free to leave. If it isn't hurting anyone, you have no right to tell them what to do.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

13. Who decides what is offending or hurting?

I'm not lumping breast-feeding in with this, but I'm noticing more and more bad behavior when I go out. And it's not just me--polls show that the majority of Americans consider rudeness to be a huge problem in this country. People yapping on cell phones at expensive restaurants. Short tempers. Belching (is it considered de rigueur these days?). Letting fly with the F-bomb (which I'm guilty of, but not in the presence of children). Why should the onus be on the non-offender to leave? We've really become a selfish society: I do what whatever the hell I want and if you don't like it - leave.

[lligrd]

14. Because Making Everything Illegal That Offends Someone

means a hell of a lot of criminals and robs us of our freedom. Manners are taught not demanded.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

15. How did we get to "making everything illegal"?

That's a bit of stretch, eh?

[lligrd]

16. Oh, You Just Want To Complain About It

Feel free then.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

17. Not quite... I'm off to engage in some offensive behavior...

and tell everyone who doesn't like it to take a big bite. The American Way.

[lligrd]

20. Have Fun - BTW Love Your Dean Sign

He's my man. (And I can guarantee he isn't offended by breastfeeding.)

[Quantess]

24. The mere idea of dining at an Applebee's restaurant offends me!

I wish those barfy chain restaurants would get up and leave town!
So there!

[Berry Cool]

19. Nobody's forcing anyone to look

and babies often have a way of throwing off covers. THAT's why it's "so difficult."

[LeftyMom]

25. Do you eat with a blanket on your head?

Oddly enough babies and toddlers don't like to do that either.

[LostinVA]

4. Damn, I'm going to bed soon

:popcorn:

[WorseBeforeBetter]

5. Nah...stay up for the fireworks! (n/t)

[struggle4progress]

8. 'Nurse-In' Protest To Take Place In Chatsworth (CA)

Sep 8, 2007 11:57 am US/Pacific
Applebee's Restaurant Targeted In Nationwide Event

(CBS) CHATSWORTH, Calif. A “nurse-in” will take place at a Chatsworth Applebee’s restaurant on Saturday. The protest was sparked when a mother in Kentucky was asked to hide under a blanket while nursing her baby at the chain restaurant.

The mothers say state laws and human decency are not offended by the sight of a child doing what nature intended, and intend to eat lunch with their kids at the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill at noon to express their point ...

http://cbs2.com/local/local_story_251145939.html

[Oeditpus Rex]

10. Breast-feeding protestors 'rage'?

I hate it when copy editors fall asleep at work.

[davsand]

11. They HAVE anyone of childbearing age in Ft Meyers???

I am amazed by that idea all by itself.

Last time I was there (right after the selection) I saw more gray hair and orthopedic shoes than I ever knew even existed. Literally, it seemed like the entire place was one HUGE retirement village. I am happy to hear that the Obstetricians are able to work down there!



Laura

[TahitiNut]

18. OMFG!!! Those MAMMALS actually entered the restaurant??

Horrors! :grr:

[beyurslf]

21. Is there an age limit they would like to impose on feeding the "baby"?

My parents had some friends growing up with kids our age. My mom recounts that their 4 year old used to breast feed still once his baby brother was born.

And just to make sure I understand: It is obscene to see a woman's bare breast--unless a child's lips are attached to it?

[LeftyMom]

28. Weaning occurs when mother and child are done.

Four is the global average weaning age.

The WHO recommends breastfeeding for at least two years, the AAP for a minimum of one and as long after as mother and child mutually desire. Breastmilk has no sell-by date and continues to be nutrition-dense and a source of immunity for as it is created and it's content changes as the child's needs do.

Alas, we live in a society that believes breasts are obscene when feeding babies and obligatory when selling beer.

[struggle4progress]

22. Breastfeeding Protest Targets Restaurant Chain (AZ)

September 9th, 2007 @ 9:52am
by KPHO.com; Photo courtesy of KPHO.com

Dozens of demonstrators who support women breast-feeding in public held up signs outside an east Phoenix Applebee's ...

"At the end of the day, it's not necessarily about my rights as a breastfeeding mother," said Diane Targovink. "It's about my baby's rights to eat and drink."

The breastfeeding-in-public controversy is nothing new in Arizona. A state law was passed last year to allow public nursing after a Tempe mother was denied from doing so at a Chandler city pool ...

Mothers gathering outside the east Phoenix Applebee's near 44th Street and Thomas Road held babies in their arms and carried signs that read "Breastfeeding is normal; eating under a blanket is not" and "Cover your eyes, not my baby." ...

http://ktar.com/?nid=6&sid=588999

[JVS]

23. NO OUTSIDE FOOD!

[The Straight Story]

26. I only get upset with breastfeeding women when they don't share

:rofl:

So many people seem upset with nature. I think it is a beautiful thing and my breastfed our daughter for a few years. She was always discreet for her own modesty's sake - but even then she encountered people who wished she would take it elsewhere (like on a plane).

Sorry my daughter comes before other peoples' hang ups.

[TahitiNut]

27. I gotta wonder whether Hooters is more welcoming.

I think I've only been to one once ... so I dunno. :shrug:

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

29. Even when babies are shut up in restaurant......

.....they find a way to be annoying.