The Free to Feed group organized a mass breastfeeding protest outside London’s famous Claridge Hotel on Saturday to protest against what it called the ‘’illegal’’ nursing rules imposed by the hotel. The breastfeeding programme was led by Emily Slough, 28, the founder of the Free to Feed group.
Last week, Louise Burns had visited the Claridge Hotel’s restaurant with her mother and sister for a treat. Louise was told to be more discreet when breastfeeding her baby. She ‘burst into tears’ and left the restaurant, promising never to return after the ‘’humiliating’’ experience. Claridges clarified that it ‘embraces’ breastfeeding but requests women to be discreet towards other guests. The mammary militia which numbered about 25 breastfeeding mothers wanted the Claridges to issue an apology and change their policy on breastfeeding but the hotel has not done anything yet.
Emily Slough, the leader of the Free to Feed group was herself present. She formed this group after she was branded as a ‘tramp’ on the Facebook for breastfeeding in public. Till the filing of this report, the hotel had not commented anything about the protest. The media frenzy was evident with a battery of lensmen and video journalists merrily clicking and recording the mammary show as if they were witnessing this for the first time ever.
For the feminists, there is another new battle at hand. In all likelihood, this issue may not close here. Feminist organizations like Femen may join the issue with bare breasted protests as they have done in the past. They believe women should be left to handle their bodies by themselves and need not be dictated by the patriarchal society. In modern times, women cannot be dictated how much to show and how much to cover. If anybody thinks, the show is too much, then run for cover! London bridge is falling down, London bridge is falling down…
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Well-known international columnist, political analyst and senior journalist Ahmed Mohiuddin Siddiqui’s articles are published across Asia, Africa and Europe. He writes for The Moroccan Times, The Tunis Times, India Tomorrow, KohramNews, The Etemaad Urdu Daily and for newspapers published from Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. You can follow him on Twitter at: @journopolana[/symple_box]
