UPDATE in Reply xposted:No Breastfeeding Policy at Bridgeport Village shopping center

1055 Views 19 Replies 14 Participants Last post by HelloKitty, Jun 9, 2005

MamaFae

Discussion Starter · Jun 7, 2005

This was posted on another group I am a part of here in the Portland, OR area. A member of the list posted the following (I took out her name):

Quote:

I just became aware that the new Bridgeport Village shopping center
in Tigard has a no breastfeeding in outdoor areas policy. (I assume
that individual stores and restaurants are free to make their own
policies.) My friend was (discreetly) nursing her 7 week old baby
this weekend when a security guard approached her and told her that
they have a policy against breastfeeding; you are supposed to nurse
in their nursing rooms. I don't think I need to explain how
unreasonable and impractical that is. I consider this
discrimination.

..... I have emailed a letter to the editor at the Oregonian,
emailed the management of Bridgeport Village, and also called Wild
Oats and talked to a manager there. I was thinking that Wild Oats
as a major tenant and "natural" organization might complain to
center management about such a policy.

Anyone else want to make their voice heard?
Email letters to the editor of The Oregonian at
[email protected].

Wild Oats phone number is 503-598-7650.

And the management of Bridgeport Village has the following email
addresses and titles:
[email protected], [email protected],
[email protected], [email protected],
[email protected]
Fred Bruning, President, Center Oak Properties
Staci Sigala, Leasing
Josie Smith, Marketing Director
Bob Dye, General Manager
Allie Stewart, Property Management Assistant

:
I can't say how upset I am about this, especially since I just spent over $50 at that Wild Oats! (a natural food store here in OR for those who aren't familiar). Once we have found out what exactly the policy is there are plans for a nurse in.

Blessings,
N~

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1 - 20 of 20 Posts

rrr

· #2 · Jun 7, 2005

hi from eugene, i hope you know that that policy is illegal according to oregon law, "a woman may breastfeed a child in a public place." a public place as opposed to a private club where you have to pay a fee to join, etc. even there, you might win a lawsuit. but a shopping center ,open to the public is certainly a "public place". if you google oregon breastfeeding law, you'll find it. the state dept. of health will contact the shopping mall, as well, i think. they have a program that includes communicating with employers who do not support breastfeeding mothers in the workplace, for example. it was oregon senate bill 744, but now that it is law, it has a different number. they have little cards to hand out in such situations.
KNOW THE LAW! SPREAD THE WORD! DEFEAT IGNORANCE! CHERISH EVERY BREASTFEEDING MOMENT, IT'S OVER ALL TOO SOON.

love, rrr

maxwill129

· #3 · Jun 7, 2005

That is just ridiculous!!! What is it about NIP that disgusts people?! I LOVE watching children being nursed. I have it in mind to just go out today to different place and breastfeed...just because I can! Can someone give me links to breastfeeding advocacy sites? I would love to order a shirt for my dd. Thanks!

Shannon

JamesMama

· #4 · Jun 7, 2005

www.cafepress.com has some really cute BF advocasy shirts, just do a search for breastfeeding/breastfed. There are two shirts I'm going to order off there, one for me that says "Silly Man, Tits are For Kids" and one for DS that says "Breastfed Baby, Stick Around For A Show"

captain crunchy

· #5 · Jun 7, 2005

It would be beneficial for any breastfeeding mom to look up their local statute on breastfeeding and print it out..

This is what I did and I keep a few copies in my diaper bag, rather than arguing with anyone who would *dare* say something, I would just smugly hand them the paper and inform them that THEY are breaking the law...

It is ridiculous.

HelloKitty

· #6 · Jun 7, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by captain crunchy
It would be beneficial for any breastfeeding mom to look up their local statute on breastfeeding and print it out..

This is what I did and I keep a few copies in my diaper bag, rather than arguing with anyone who would *dare* say something, I would just smugly hand them the paper and inform them that THEY are breaking the law...

It is ridiculous.

This is an awesome idea - but apparently it won't work for me. It seems Massachusetts has nothing I can refer to

I think I need to do something about that....

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User101

· #7 · Jun 7, 2005

Wow. How can they do that if they are in violation of Oregon law?

Sometimes I wish we could skip the nurse in and jump right to lawsuit- hit 'em where they live.

MamaFae

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 7, 2005

My other group is gearing up for a nurse-in at the shopping center with law in hand as well as getting a written copy of the shopping center's policy so that we can prove our point to anyone who says anything to us. We are also planning on contacting the media. It is going to take a few days to set up but I will keep you posted on what is going on.

OH and for your oregon mamas here is a great link on the DHS site to order stickers and bookmarks printed with OR's breastfeeding law!

http://www.dhs.state.or.us/publichea...ials-order.cfm

Blessings,
N~

Belle

· #9 · Jun 7, 2005

Count me in.

I would love to take part.

That's a brand new shopping center isn't it? How is it they have a policy against breastfeeding when that place is less than a month old? Their policy is against Oregon law anyway. I imagine especially with the media present a nurse in will generate a lot of negative press against them. What are they thinking by having such a policy?

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Salema

· #10 · Jun 7, 2005

2

I'm all for the nurse-in!
Let me know when/where and I'll bring my bf'ing friends with me!

I am amazed at how foolish some people are about bf'ing, and I think it's important for us to teach by good example!

And MamaFae, you amaze me!
How old is Lily, 11 days?!
I don't know how you even get to your computer, much less can get us all up in arms! (Or up in boobs, if you will

)

-Sally

p.s. I just went to the website listed above and in about 30 seconds ordered some of the wallet cards to hand out. Now I'm thinking I should have ordered more...

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Kleine Hexe

· #11 · Jun 7, 2005

Anyone know if there are cards for FL? I'd love to buy them.

mamadawg

· #12 · Jun 7, 2005

I'm in for the nurse-in.

Please keep us posted on date, time, etc. If I get a day or two advanced notice, I can get the time off of work.

I might even be able to talk a nursing friend of mine to come, too.

User101

· #13 · Jun 7, 2005

Has anyone tried actually contacting the mall owners and telling them they are in violation of the law? Janice in Canada has some great info on nurse-in's from Liz Baldwin. Maybe a more positive tact would be to get them to admit they are in error, revise their policy, and then have a nursing mama rally day there rather than a nurse-in?

Meiri

· #14 · Jun 8, 2005

Could it be that the problem is only that particular guard "thinking" that because there are nursing rooms, for those as prefer, they Must be used?

I second some communication with the mall first to make sure.

MamaFae

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jun 8, 2005

Yes they shopping center was contacted first thing and we only just got a response from them. It appears that yes the security guard in question was not aware of the actual policy and was handling the situation incorrectly.

Here is the reply one mama got from Bridgeport:

Quote:

Thank you for your call this morning. I appreciate your willingness to share the following information with your mother's club.

As Oregon's premier lifestyle center, our top priority is to make sure all of our guests feel welcome and comfortable at Bridgeport Village. Recently, a rumor has come to our attention that Bridgeport Village has a "no breastfeeding" policy on the property.

We want to assure you that Bridgeport Village has never had, nor ever will have, a policy or rule of this kind. We take this issue very seriously, as our goal is to make sure that mothers, children, parents and everyone feel completely comfortable at Bridgeport Village.

We respect every woman's right to breastfeed as she sees fit and will continue to protect that right as it relates to our property. That's the reason why we have taken the extra step of having a very comfortable, fully-furnished room available for mothers and children to accommodate those who choose privacy, or need a bit of extra rest, as well as making sure we have a play area and public spaces available for all to use and enjoy.

We hope this helps clear up any confusion or misunderstanding in regard to this important issue and Bridgeport Village's policies. We would be happy to speak personally with any guest who has further concerns or questions.

If you would like to talk further, please call my cell phone at 971.246.7008.

Sincerely,

Josie Smith, CMD

Marketing Director

Bridgeport Village

p 503.670.7301 x34

f 815.642.4467

c 971.246.7008

www.bridgeport-village.com

So it looks like it was the security guard that had the policy wrong. And that they will be educating their staff (according the the phone conversation that preceeded this letter) as to the law and the policy.

No nurse in this time ladies! But if you are in the Portland area, hey I say go ahead and nurse at the shopping center if you happen to be there just so we can give those security guards a chance to use their new training! :LOL

Blessings,
N~

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Belle

· #16 · Jun 8, 2005

2

Quote:

No nurse in this time ladies! But if you are in the Portland area, hey I say go ahead and nurse at the shopping center if you happen to be there just so we can give those security guards a chance to use their new training! :LOL

I'll have to do that.

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Meiri

· #17 · Jun 8, 2005

That's good to read.

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Greaseball

· #18 · Jun 8, 2005

Awww, I was looking forward to going to my first nurse-in!

:

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rupiezum

· #19 · Jun 9, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by HelloKitty
This is an awesome idea - but apparently it won't work for me. It seems Massachusetts has nothing I can refer to

I think I need to do something about that....

Yup, you can write to your representatives and urge them to support House Bill 1782!

http://www.dailynewstranscript.com/l...rticleid=58029

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HelloKitty

· #20 · Jun 9, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by rupiezum
Yup, you can write to your representatives and urge them to support House Bill 1782!

http://www.dailynewstranscript.com/l...rticleid=58029

Thanks! I actually started another thread about this earlier:
http://mothering.com/discussions/sho...d.php?t=297953

I've been in touch with the state reps today, trying to figure out if there is more we can do as well.

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