Nottingham (UK): Dozens of mothers breastfed their children at a branch of Sports Direct in Nottingham on Tuesday, to protest against the treatment of a 25-year-old woman who claims she was kicked out of the store for feeding her child earlier in the year, The Independent reported.
Around 70 women gathered at the Clumber Street store on Tuesday afternoon, after staff members allegedly told Wioletta Komar that she could not breast feed her baby because it was “against company policy”, the report said. She was then made to leave the store and continue feeding her child in the rain while she waited for her husband, according to a report in the Nottingham Post.
Mrs Komar claims she has complained to the store five times since the incident, but has received no response, although it is believed the firm has now issued her with an apology.
Breatfeeding in public is protected by the Equality Act 2010, which states that businesses must not discriminate against a woman who is breastfeeding.
“We’re here today to stand up for breastfeeding women and their right to feed their children in public without being asked to leave places,” organiser Leah Gibson was quoted as saying.
“The turn-out has been fantastic, probably more than I expected,” she said.
“We just wanted to show everyone that we can feed in peace, without showing everyone our boobs,” the organiser was quoted as saying.
