DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A mother said she felt discriminated against for breastfeeding her child at the Daytona Flea & Farmer's Market.
"Never have I ever made to feel so ashamed for feeding my child," said Jolene Gregory.
Gregory said she rented a booth there with her 6-month-old daughter in tow when management approached her on Friday.
"He said that we've been getting complaints about you breastfeeding and I looked at him and said well, it's the law. I can breastfeed anywhere I want, and he turned around and walked away," said Gregory.
Gregory said she returned on Saturday to get the same booth because of the prime location but was denied.
"I felt like she was appeasing her monthly renters by not renting me a booth which in turn was discriminating against breastfeeding and my rights as a mother," she said.
News 6 spoke with other shoppers at the flea market who agree.
"That's not right. That's not right," said Kat Smith.
"They complained because she was breastfeeding? Oh my gosh," said Karl Smith.
Now, Gregory said not only does she believe the flea market violated her civil rights, but a favorite family pastime is forever ruined.
"Everything about it was wrong and I felt really wronged by the flea market. This might be the last weekend we ever go to the flea market," she said.
The Daytona Flea & Farmer's Market released this statement:
"Jolene Gregory rented a booth on Friday, February 19th. Two vendors near Ms. Gregory's booth called market management to voice concern regarding Ms. Gregory's loud behavior and use of graphic language. They felt her loud behavior was affecting their business by driving customers off. Ms. Gregory also lodged a complaint about a neighboring vendor smoking near her booth. Ms Gregory's booth on Friday is one that borders the vendor access road, where smoking is permitted.
In situations where there is an obvious conflict between vendors, the market does its best to solve these issues. Many times, that does involve offering alternate spaces to daily vendors. It is no one's best interest to be in or witness altercations.
Ms. Gregory was offered any other location of her choosing in the market when she returned on Saturday because of the obvious personality conflict with nearby vendors and she refused. The market did not refuse service to Ms. Gregory.
The Daytona Flea & Farmer's Market, in no way, would infringe on the rights of mothers who are breastfeeding."
Gregory told News 6 management only approached her about the complaint breast-feeding and is standing by her version of what happened 100 percent.