Posts Tagged ‘action’
Over the past few weeks York Region Parent has learnt about a new law that will affect many of our favourite, indy baby and kids brands, including Made By Angie. Angie sent us this letter and we are passing it on to you so you can read and take action.
~Thanks, Kirsty
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Customers, Retailers and Friends,
In 2007, we were shocked to learn that so many of the toys our children were (are) exposed to were tainted with lead and phthalates. Large toy manufacturers outsourcing to China and other developing countries sold numerous products within the US that simply put, made kids sick.
Rightfully reacting to this mess, the US Congress cracked down on the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) in August 2008. Essentially, this law requires mandatory safety testing for all toys and products geared towards children ages 12 and under.
In theory, we as parents and consumers should be thrilled with this action. However, the law lacks specifics and without modification, the reality is that thousands of small businesses who produce handmade toys and children’s products will be forced to close our doors because the testing procedures are prohibitively expensive. Does this really make sense for the cloth diaper business using 100% organic cotton materials? Or the craft fair artisan that sold you a hand chisled wooden train set? Or the adorable personalized hand appliqued birthday t-shirt you just ordered from etsy.com?
On February 10, 2009 (coined “National Bankruptcy Day“)– this law will go into effect, forcing us to provide certification of thousands of dollars spent on third-party testing. Testing for chemicals that don’t exist to begin with in the materials we use. Now more than ever, with our economy hanging on by a thread we need these small businesses who provide innovative, unique and SAFE products and help to keep our handmade in the USA industry thriving.
Here’s what you can do to help.
1. Start by forwarding this information to everyone you know. Parents of young children are not the only ones touched by this legislation. There is a “forward” button at the bottom of this email.
2. Vote for amending the law on Change.org. With enough votes it will be presented to President Obama in January!
3. Find your congress person and senators and write a letter like the sample here. Particularly if they serve on the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection or the House Committee on Small Business.
4. Send an email directly to the CPSC or contact chairperson Nancy Nord at 301-504-7923.
5. Sign this petition, to be submitted to the CPSC.
6. Check out these additional resources: Facebook -Help Save Handmade Toys from the CPSIA and Handmade Toy Alliance
Thank you for reading!
Best,
Angie Beermann
Made by Angie, Inc.
Here is an email from a local mom who needs your help!
~~~~~~
Hello,
I would like to share with you a breastfeeding discrimination episode that happened to me last Friday, October 24th around 3:10pm at the The Aquacentre in Newmarket. (Address: 1215 Stellar Dr., Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 7B8. It is very close hwy 404/Davis Drive. Phone: 905 895 2782, Fax: 905 853 4229, email: info@aquacentrenewmarket.com).
I was breastfeeding my daughter on the steps of the swimming pool when Ms. Ellie Kar, the owner of the facility, came to speak with me. Ms. Kar said they had one complain and that I could not breastfeed my daughter in the swimming pool. She said if I wanted to breastfeed I would have use the changeroom. I tried to say that based on the law I had the right to breastfeed in public places but Ms. Kar said that she was the owner and I could only breastfeed in the changeroom. After that I stopped breastfeeding. Ms. Ellie Kar left. I stayed in the swimming pool.
It was the first time I have suffered discrimination in my life! I wanted to cry so bad. I tried to pretend this has never happened. My daughter kept asking to nurse and I denied her while we were in the pool. My heart was broken. I did not know what to do. I was completely sad, lost and numb.
Only after a few hours, I believe I started to think clearly again. I knew I had to do something for myself, my daughter, breastfeeding mothers and babies. Our society protects us against pregnancy and breastfeeding discrimination so I just needed to have courage.
I informed the homeschool families registered for this swim time at The Aquacentre about the terrible episode. The leader of this activity, Carol-Anne Brockington, sent an email to The Aquacentre asking for an apology. Their feedback was “At no point did we discriminate against the act of breastfeeding.” Their explanation was that no food or drink is allowed in the swimming pool area. They did not offer any apology.
The Policy on Discrimination on Pregnancy and Breastfeeding by the Ontario Human Rights Commission says on page 12, “The Code prohibits discrimination in “services, goods and facilities” against women who are breastfeeding. This means that women have a right to nurse undisturbed, and cannot be prevented from breastfeeding a child in, for example, a public area or restaurant. They also cannot be asked to move to a more “discreet” area to breastfeed a child, or to “cover-up”. Complaints from other persons will not justify interfering with a woman’s right to breastfeed.”
After several emails of support from mothers ready to fight for the right to breastfeed, we have decided to organize a peaceful nurse-in protest for Friday, November 7th in The Aquacentre at 2:30pm.
Please inform as many people as you can about this discrimination episode and the nurse-in protest. Feel free to use this email. Also, everybody is welcome to the peaceful nurse-in protest, you do not have to breastfeed to participate! All support is welcome! If you are unable to attend the nurse-in personally please feel free to email, phone or fax the facility to voice your concerns over this incident and show your support of breastfeeding rights – anywhere, anytime!
Unfortunately, the Aquacentre in Newmarket is a private facility that charges to use the pool. For this reason, to be able to participate in the peaceful nurse-in protest it is required that you pay the fee of $5.25 per swimmer. I wish it was not necessary to pay but the law requests it.
If you are interested then please email Carol-Anne Brockington off list ASAP at thebirthden@yahoo.ca. If you do not get a reply within 24 hours then please send another. Please do not contact the facility.
Also, Carol-Anne will need the following information:
Name and ages of all the children participating.
First and last name of adult attending.
A phone number where you can be reached for any last minute changes or notifications.
Just a reminder that this facility has resident cats, for those of you with allergies.
Let’s fight for our right to breastfeed anytime and anywhere! Join us on November 7th at 2:30pm!
Thank you!
Cinira
~~~ Editor’s note: We allow comments on most of our posts, including this one. Please note that hurtful or unstasteful posts will not be posted. A good rule of thumb is never post anything you would not say to someone’s face. We reserve to write to not post your comments. Please see our rules about the site and comments in geneal here.
