Legal Battle Ensues After Woman Denied Right to Breastfeed at Walker Art Center
Minneapolis Woman Files Lawsuit Against Walker Art Center Over Breastfeeding Incident
A Minneapolis woman, Megan Mzenga, has filed a lawsuit against the Walker Art Center after a staff member told her she could not breastfeed her infant in a gallery. Mzenga claims the museum violated her civil rights.
The incident occurred when Mzenga and her family visited the museum in early March. Mzenga sat down in a gallery to nurse her daughter when a staff member approached her and said she couldn’t do so there. Feeling ashamed, Mzenga did not protest at the time but later filed a lawsuit.
Mzenga’s lawyer stated that women have the right to breastfeed in public and that denying them this right is discriminatory. The Walker Art Center has a policy that allows breastfeeding throughout the building, including in the galleries.
The museum’s spokesperson confirmed their breastfeeding policy and mentioned a private family-friendly room available for those who prefer a more secluded space. Despite pending litigation, the Walker Art Center reaffirms its support for breastfeeding mothers.
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Elara Voss, graduated from the Royal College of Art in London with a Master’s in Fine Art. She specializes in contemporary sculpture and installation art, exploring themes of nature and human interaction. Elara’s works have been featured in several group exhibitions across Europe, and she is currently working on her first solo show.