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Maya Angelina, 1, and her mom Michele Grate, of Manhattan, ride the A train yesterday to draw attention to breastfeeding rights. (Anne Shreffler/WNYC)

Mothers Rail for Breastfeeding Rights

by Annie Shreffler

NEW YORK, NY August 01, 2008 — A band of mothers boarded the A train today with children and strollers in tow -- then began breastfeeding their infants and toddlers. The women were calling attention to what they say is a mother's right to nurse her baby when and where she wants to. Wendy Wicks picketed on 168th Street with the group and said many New Yorkers are less than kind to moms who breast-feed away from home. WICKS: I feed my son on the subway or in a restaurant. I either get evasive looks like what is she doing? Or overt hostility--how dare you pull out your breast in public. REPORTER: State Senator Liz Krueger joined the protesters briefly at a stop in mid-town. The Manhattan Democrat supports a bill before the State Senate that would require health care providers to tell pregnant women about the benefits of breast-feeding.

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