Here's the article about the Nurse-In:
http://www.press-citizen.com/news/071304mothers.htm
"Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Area mothers organize nurse-in
Event to educate others about breast-feeding
By Deidre Bello
Iowa City Press-Citizen
A group of new mothers plan to gather Saturday at a West Branch restaurant to educate people about a woman's right to breast-feed in public.
The "nurse-in" was organized in response to an incident that took place during the Fourth of July weekend.
"The group felt that it was important to educate, not only the restaurant owners but the public in general about the fact that it is lawful for mothers to nurse anywhere," said Karen Michaeli, 39, of Iowa City. "And not only that it's lawful but that it is something that is good and healthy for all of us."
Families of 13 new mothers have said they plan to have dinner at 6 p.m. at The Hoover House and, if necessary, the mothers will breast-feed their babies.
On July 3, Iowa City resident Amy Schoon, 32, visited the restaurant with her 8-month-old son, Henry, and her husband, Tim Schoon, 34, and brother-in-law, Mark Schoon, of St. Louis. Schoon said she was "discreetly" breast-feeding her son when a waitress and later The Hoover House co-owner, Janet Nelson, told her to continue in the bathroom or leave.
Carl Nelson, The Hoover House co-owner and Janet Nelson's husband, said Schoon was given three options: to cover up, continue in the bathroom or leave. He has said the family restaurant does not prohibit breast-feeding, but he prefers mothers cover up with a blanket.
The Nelsons were not available for comment Monday.
Iowa Code states: "Notwithstanding any provisions of the law to the contrary, a woman may breast-feed the woman's own child in any public place where the woman's presence is otherwise authorized."
Michaeli said when people make it inconvenient or unacceptable for women to nurse, it creates an atmosphere in society that makes bottle feeding an easier option.
Added mother Angela Nelson, of North Liberty: "Our purpose is not to be confrontational or cause a scene. ... Breast-feeding should be seen as a mother feeding her child the best way she can. We're trying to educate people on how normal this is, that it is not anything that needs to be pointed out or singled out."
Le Leche, the American Academy of Pediatrics, World Health Organization and other groups have launched campaigns to support breast-feeding for the nutritional benefits for babies.
Jody Davis, 29, a leader with La Leche League International, said members of the Iowa City La Leche chapter will not be involved in the nurse-in but are informing mothers of the demonstration if they ask.
Schoon said Monday she hasn't decided whether she would attend the nurse-in. Since the incident, she said, she was overwhelmed by all the support people have extended to her family, which reinforced her feeling she was doing the right thing.
Let us know what you think of this story..."