"Get Out Now!"...Famous Restaurant Owner Ejects Woman for Breastfeeding [What Do You Think?]

[The Financial News] A story has emerged from a restaurant in the United States where a woman breastfeeding was reportedly asked to leave by the owner, sparking controversy.

According to the New York Post on the 17th, Aris Kopiak, a resident of Florida, recently shared her experience at a well-known restaurant in the State of Georgia while dining with her family.
She explained, "While I was having a meal with my husband, three children, and friends, my four-month-old baby started crying. I immediately covered myself with a nursing cover and began breastfeeding. No one except those at my table could see anything."
However, the restaurant owner approached and told her, "You can't do that here," demanding that she move. Kopiak said, "I had already finished breastfeeding and was tending to my first and second children, but I wasn't even given a chance to explain."
Kopiak described the man's behavior as extremely aggressive. She said she tried to send her family outside first and explain her legal rights, but the conversation was impossible.
Georgia law stipulates that mothers are allowed to breastfeed their babies in any location where they are legally permitted to be.
She recalled, "When I told the owner, 'If you want to keep your restaurant, you need to follow the law,' he completely lost his temper." In the released video, a man is seen raising his arm threateningly at Kopiak, who is holding her baby, and shouting, "Get out now!"

As the controversy grew, the restaurant owner told the media, "I've run this restaurant for 33 years and have never had an issue related to breastfeeding. This incident was staged for views."

However, it has not been confirmed whether the man in the video is actually Tim Richter, the 67-year-old owner.
The restaurant previously sparked controversy in 2023 with its so-called 'adult surcharge' policy, which imposed extra fees on parents who failed to control their children.
At the time, some parents claimed the owner publicly called out their children's behavior. One parent told the media, "The owner yelled at my three-year-old and scolded him. The child was so frightened that he burst into tears."
Kopiak emphasized, "Every mother who breastfeeds should feel safe when feeding her baby. We have the legal right to breastfeed."
She added, "I forgive the restaurant for its actions, but I hope that in the future, mothers who breastfeed will be welcomed there."

In South Korea as well, breastfeeding in public places is legally permitted. However, due to a lack of nursing rooms and the risk of illegal smartphone filming, it is still uncommon to see mothers breastfeeding outside.

moon@fnnews.com Moon Young-jin Reporter