Nursing Mom: Target Called the Cops

[ccharles000]

HARPER WOODS, Mich. (myFOXDetroit.com) - Jose and Mary Martinez visited a Target store in Harper Woods on Sunday. The mother says she started breast-feeding her child, security said it was illegal, they disagreed, and then the cops were called.

She's a mother of three. The youngest, her four-week-old girl, Raka. Breast-feeding is a daily part of life whether at home or at the store. That's why Mary Martinez was surprised to be stopped at the Target store. She and her husband told this by security: "He said, 'It's against the law. You have to go,'" said Jose Martinez.

Jose, a Detroit police officer, knew it isn't against the law even in the electronics aisle at Target. The couple say it wasn't crowded in that section at the time.

"It wasn't busy. One gentleman came through and... he complained about the prices," said Mary Martinez.

Harper Woods police were called to the scene. They joined Target security talking with the Martinez family until the couple and child left embarrassed.

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/breast-feeding-incident-at-local-target

[Le Taz Hot]

1. Could someone PLEASE tell these

nincompoops that that's what they're for???? Christ almighty!

[MNDemNY]

2. I know for a fact that this guards actions are contrary to Target's written policy.

[TwixVoy]

18. As a former manager at Target

I have NEVER seen a written policy regarding breast feeding.... and my job was to enforce written policy.

That said... a lot of asset protection team members (aka "security") are minimum wage former thugs. (literally) They are not the brightest lot, and I'm not surprised to see them pull such a stunt.

[FSogol]

3. What kind of asshole do you have to be to hassle a woman feeding an infant.

Hope the guy gets fired.

[Ron Green]

4. "You'll have to get over to Olive Garden right away, Ma'am."

[Fire1]

6. LOL!!! They made a big deal out of nothing! n/t

[Tim01]

5. Sue Target. Then sue them again. nt

[pnwmom]

7. The store's excuse? "We were concerned for the safety of our guests."

What the heck is that supposed to mean?

[mikelgb]

8. You could poke out an eye with one of those.

[pnwmom]

9. Or maybe drown in a splash of milk. n/t

[Turbineguy]

10. Mother's milk

may contain mercury?

[AspenRose]

13. It was corporate who gave that song and dance

which makes it all the more disappointing. I had no idea breastfeeding was so dangerous. Well, maybe it's dangerous when idiotic security guards make it so.

The manager at that particular store didn't have a problem with it, so I give her props.

Two security guards, a manager and two cops force a family out of a store, and it is somehow THEIR fault. That pisses me off.

Shame on you, Target Corporate offices.

[CTyankee]

16. Yeah, she should go feed her kid in the bathroom...

where it is always SOOO clean...

[sakabatou]

19. Fractured mandibles from jaws dropping.

[hlthe2b]

11. Target Corporate needs to come out on this in a big way...

Slap this silliness down very publicly....

An anthropologist friend of mine maintains that this is the result of our society's objectification of women--that the breast has ceased to be seen as a natural source of sustenance for our young, but only a sexual organ in the minds of many. A society whose young grew up snickering at National Geographic layouts of native bare-breasted women, grow up to view breasts as a mere organ for their private entertainment and at women, who might depart from that taboo, as a "wicked" threat, much like the "others" depicted in those supposed "uncivilized" tribes. Thus, many in the world view American society as one that functions on the level of a 12 year old pre-pubescent teen. Sure seems that way, sometimes....:shrug:

[AspenRose]

14. Your friend is absolutely 100% correct.

[AspenRose]

12. Thank God. And not a moment too soon...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7171238

[gtar100]

15. Stop it!! The stupidity is hurting! Oh it hurts!!

Too much stupidity is bad for our health and poses risks to the welfare of our communities. We need to put these people down - the one's who complained to Target and the security personnel who acted out on this idiocy. For christ's sake! These imbeciles are coming at us from every direction! What part of the brain has to shut down for someone to complain about breastfeeding? My god, what utter stupidity!!

[PeaceNikki]

17. A great comment on Feministing on this story

"Am I the only one who find it funnily ironic that a couple named Mary and Jose(ph) and their newborn baby were kicked out of a business? I think Target totally failed the Christmas test."

http://www.feministing.com/archives/019217.html

lol