"I knew there was a law which protects a mother’s right to breastfeed our babies in public," said Charkoudian of the incident, which occurred on July 8, 2004, "but when I spoke to the District Manager, he reiterated that if a customer complains, it is Starbucks policy to ask a mother to refrain from breast feeding where people can see her."

Charkoudian’s letters to the Regional Vice President, the District Manager, Corporate Headquarters, and General Counsel have gone unanswered. Along with mothers and other supporters, she is organizing a nurse-in at the Starbucks at 12056 Cherry Hill Rd., Silver Spring on August 8, at 1 pm. "Everyone is welcome to come educate Starbucks and the general public about the benefits of breastfeeding and the law which protects mother’s and babies’ rights to nurse in public," Charkoudian said. "Mothers will be nursing their babies, families will be there to celebrate breastfeeding in general, and supporters will be handing out leaflets informing Starbucks customers how they can pressure Starbucks to come into compliance with the law in Maryland."

The nurse-in action is part of a campaign to request that Starbucks make a clear policy that women can breastfeed in its coffee houses without being limited, restricted, or asked to hide; and that Starbucks in Maryland make all staff aware of Maryland law and the rights it guarantees mothers to breastfeed in public or private places.

The nurse-in coincides with National Breast-Feeding Awareness Week, which is August 1-8. The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend breastfeeding as the best nutrition for a baby.