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

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MamaFae

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
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. We want to confirm the story first, just to be safe.

Blessings,
N~
 
A

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#2 ·
 
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W

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#5 ·
Letter sent

Quote:
Dear Mr. Bruning,

I recently visited the new Bridgport Village in Tigard, OR and was impressed with the high quality stores, as well as the architecture and ambiance. Since we've recently moved here from California my husband and I have been looking for places that reminded us of our favorite parts of CA and Bridgport Village hit the spot. We commented repeatedly that it would be a great place to go in the summer with our children since we like to shop and love outdoor malls. The play area was a big hit and definitely a plus, which brings me to a concern that I have. I thought of Bridgeport Village as a family friendly place but have recently learned of an incident where a security officer of the Village stated that it is "policy" that breastfeeding is not allowed on the outside property of the mall, while individual stores may have their own policy. According to state law, there can be no such policy. A breastfeeding woman may nurse her child anywhere she and her child are both allowed to be.

http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/109.html

109.001 Breast-feeding in public place. A woman may breast-feed her child in a public place. [1999 c.306 §1]

As a mother of five breastfed children, two who are still currently breastfed, I am shocked and outraged at your apparent, and illegal policy. I will not be a repeat customer of Bridgport Village unless and until such "policy" has been cleared up and all employees are made aware of ORS 109.001.

Thank You,

Wendy Malone
 
L

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#7 ·
when's the nurse in?!!! we're thinking of visiting portland and this would be a good enough reason for me to go right now! (we live in seattle metro area) I would love to see 'em try and make me stop nursing my 9 month old!! this is sooooooo illegal!!!
 
C

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#9 ·
I don't have a nursling anymore, but I bet my 5 y.o. DD would be happy to pretend nurse!


I wonder if it would be more effective to write to the stores at BV rather than the management. If several stores get pressure and go to the mall management I think that would carry much more weight, as they are the ones who are the mall's real customers, YK? Just musing...
 
MamaFae

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Discussion Starter · #10 ·
A number of mama's in the Andaluz group have already written both management and the Oregonian as well as called or written Wild Oats which would surely be against this type of policy. According to one mama the Manager of WO had no idea that the policy was in place and was going to check it out and return her call.

Right now we are in the planning stages for the nurse-in. We need to have a written copy of the policy and a copy of the law in hand before we do this. I have the law, now we are just waiting for a response to get the policy. At that point we will schedule the nurse-in and contact the media.

Here is the link to the DHS advocacy site. You can order free copies of the stickers, bookmarks, and such stating the OR law.

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

I will be sure to let you all know the plans! BTW did you guys see this?

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/07/ny...wanted=2&8hpib


Blessings,
N~
 
G

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#14 ·
I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS!


I'm leaving town Thursday, so can we have the nurse-in before Thursday night?


I never in a million years thought I would have an opportunity to participate in something like this, since I live in Portland Freaking Oregon!! Unbelievable. I can't wait....
 
MamaDaednu

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#15 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by cldistefano
when's the nurse in?!!! we're thinking of visiting portland and this would be a good enough reason for me to go right now! (we live in seattle metro area) I would love to see 'em try and make me stop nursing my 9 month old!! this is sooooooo illegal!!!
Sounds like a Seattle convoy of 9 months old coming OR way...


~Daednu
 
T

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#17 ·
my email to mr. bruning:

Quote:
Dr. Mr. Bruning:

I recently learned of an encounter a mother breastfeeding her infant child had with a member of your security staff while in an outdoor area of your property, Bridgeport Village, in Tigard, Oregon.

Although I don't know all the details of the event, the impression this mother received from the security staff person was that Bridgeport VIllage does not allow mothers to breastfeed on the property, only in the designated "nursing rooms," but that individual stores may have their own policies allowing mothers to breastfeed.

While I appreciate the consideration your property has for breastfeeding mothers by providing a quiet and comfortable location for them to feed their children in a "nursing room", a mother has the right to breastfeed her child anywhere, and this is upheld by Oregon state law.

http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/109.html

ORS § 109.001
1999 Ore. ALS 306; 1999 Ore. Laws 306; 1999 Ore. SB 744

A woman may breastfeed her child in a public place.

As a breastfeeding mother of a one year old, I certainly hope this was just one security staff person's misunderstanding of the purpose of your nursing rooms. I would appreciate the retraining of all of your staff, especially the security staff, to educate them of this right and the state of Oregon's law upholding this right.
 
MamaFae

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Discussion Starter · #18 ·
Ok so 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 hey I say we go ahead and nurse at the shopping center if we 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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