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	activism alerts february 2007

• Lactivist Alert: Leigh Bellini

Lactivist Alert: Leigh Bellini

I would like to share the experience that I had at the Berkshire Mall in Wyomissing, PA today. My husband and I took our two-year-old daughter and six-month-old son out for a day of shopping and errands. While at the mall, my son became hungry. I found a bench near an indoor tree and parked my stroller directly in front of me. As discretely as possible, I began nursing my son. After about ten minutes or so I was interrupted by a security guard, who asked me if I could put a blanket over my son and cover up better. I informed him that I did not have a blanket nor would I like him to get me one, and also that I had no breast exposed anyway. He began to speak again, at which point my husband informed him that we were not interested in this conversation and that we were discretely trying to feed our son in a public place. The guard retorted that this was private property and that there were rules and he could ask us to leave and ban us from the mall. My husband reminded him that this was private property that is open to the public and that people have rights in public areas. The guard threatened to call the police to have us removed and my husband told him that that is what he should do if he felt that to be necessary. At that point the guard walked away.

Moments later we were confronted by another security guard. I immediately told her that I had no intention on listening to what she had to say. My husband told her that she had to back away from my son and I, and speak with him further down the hall. While I continued to feed my son, my husband dealt with this person. She asked why they couldn't provide me with a blanket or buy me a new one. My husband explained to her that we weren't going to use a dirty blanket or use a new one that hadn't been laundered. At this point the first security guard came back to get involved. He asked why I couldn't move the breastfeeding into a more private location like the bathroom. My husband asked him if he liked to eat on a toilet seat in a public bathroom. The security guard replied that I didn't have to sit on a toilet. My husband asked if the guard were suggesting that I sit on the floor instead. The security guard replied that I could stand in the bathroom. My husband laughed and said, "Obviously you've never breastfed." Then the security guard suggested I go out to my car to breastfeed. IT WAS 30 DEGREES OUTSIDE!!!!!! My husband said that although one person complained about seeing me breastfeed, it didn't seem as if anyone else had noticed . But now due to this argument, everyone in the area was staring. During this interaction I was enraged by the suggestion of going into a bathroom to breastfeed, and I took it upon myself to draw more attention by yelling "I REFUSE TO FEED MY BABY IN A BATHROOM" over and over. The security guards brought up the police again in an attempt to scare us into compliance. My husband informed them again that they would have to call the police if they wanted us to leave before my son was finished his meal. The security guard gave up and stated that if he got one more complaint he was definitely calling the cops. My husband said that that is what they were going to have to do. My son then continued and finished his meal. After we returned our purchases and explained to the store associate why we were never going to return to this store or this mall again, we went home.

We have since phoned the mall's upper management to find out if there is official written rule prohibiting breastfeeding in the mall, but have not received a return call.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. With the support of concerned lactavists, there is a Nurse-In planned for this Saturday, February 24th at 1:00p.m. Center Court at the Berkshire Mall in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania (near Reading). To access the new universal breastfeeding symbol to use on signs, stickers, t-shirts go to: http://www.mothering.com/sections/action_alerts/iconcontest/icon.pdf

Sincerely,

Leigh Bellini

Media coverage:

WFMZ TV video interview.