Asheville News

It’s on: Outraged breast-feeding mom will stage Denny’s nurse-in

Jason Sandford February 11, 2009

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

When I blogged about WLOSers’ Monday report about a woman getting harassed at the Denny’s restaurant in West Asheville for breast-feeding in public, I knew the story would be hot.

WLOSers’ broke the story Monday and followed it up yesterday. Today, the Asheville Citizen-Times jumps on board with its own interview of the outraged breast-feeding mommy, Crystal Everitt. She says she’s gonna stage a nurse-in at the Denny’s at 1 p.m. on Feb. 22.

That should be tons of fun. Let the bacon and breast milk flow!

Meantime, WLOS news director Julie Fries blogged about the reaction the station has received since airing the story. Here’s part of her post:

Some viewers have asked why we are covering this story at all. We have reported many stories nationwide about women who have been asked to cover up or leave. There are advocacy groups to help women understand the laws and what their rights are. Wisconsin lawmakers introduced a law just yesterday to protect breastfeeding moms. Forty states have laws that allow women to breastfeed in public, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures website. This issue has evoked strong emotional reactions from many viewers. If federal and state lawmakers feel compelled to address the issue, surely it is our duty to do so, as well, in an effort to educate and inform.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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7 Comments

Arglebarg February 12, 2009

I’m 26 and my mother still breast feeds me. I’m sorry but that is a natural and wonderful thing and I’m tired of people looking at me as if I’m doing something wrong.

What’s wrong America? Can’t stand looking at the bonding between mother and child while I suckle from her teat when we’re out in public? For shame! Breast feed! Breast Feed! Start a lactating revolution.

This is the most important thing ever and this nurse-in is no way just a statement on needy mothers filling a void in their life with their children and getting some needed attention from society. Go get ’em sisters!

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John Boy February 12, 2009

Everybody or nearly everybody on the planet has a pair of nipples. Why does it create such a ruckus when a woman bares one or both of hers for whatever reason? Maybe those that have such a problem with seeing them should seek professional counseling.

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Lauren (Ashe-Villain) February 12, 2009

It was funny…today I was in Firestorm and brought up this topic with a friend..then looked over at the table next to us and she was right there, breastfeeding her baby! We talked for a few minutes then a photographer with way too much lens on both her cameras showed up to interview her. Crystal is a very level-headed and sweet woman. I think we both agree that this is one of those things that should definitely be a non-issue.
(and honestly, if we hadn’t started talking, I never would have known she was breastfeeding only a couple feet away from me. The child looked like it was just sleeping with his head on her chest)
What a bunch of garbage from conservative America. Pregnancy and child-rearing is not a disease that needs to be milked for money!

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Celo February 11, 2009

After the nurse-in, we can all go to the downtown Mardi Gras parade and nurse some more.

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Gratuitous February 11, 2009

Why does WLOS think it needs to defend the choice to break the story? As long as it’s interesting, they’ve done their job. And most people would agree, this news is indeed titillating. Seriously though, as a man, I do feel some discomfort at witnessing breast feeding. But as a conscientious and respectful being by nature, my discomfort does not come from confusing sexuality from maternity, but from my potential ability tor cause discomfort to the mother. There have been times when I looked a bit too long because what I was seeing hadn’t quite registered yet, and the time for the respectful looking-away had expired. All I could think of at that point was "OMG, what must she think of me right now? Am I a weirdo that confuse sexuality with maternity? I’m not! I’m not!"

But then I’m hypersensitive (I need to work on that). So all that being said, if you’re wronged, make it known.

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Patriots February 11, 2009

Don’t mess with us!! The English and French tried and we sent them sailing back home with their tails between their legs. Nurse-In, Nurse-In, Nurse-In, Nurse-In, !!!

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IllinoisPam February 11, 2009

Discretion should be used when breastfeeding in a public place.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T goes both ways.

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