Human Rights Commission hears case of breast feeding passenger

The Vermont Human Rights Commission says there are reasonable grounds to believe Freedom Airlines discriminated against a New Mexico woman ordered off a plane after refusing to cover up while breast feeding her infant.

The case went before the commission yesterday after an investigator recommended it hear the case of 28-year-old Emily Gillette of Santa Fe.

A spokesman for Mesa did not return calls seeking comment.

Gillette was removed from a plane in October 2006 after refusing to cover up while breast feeding her 22-month-old daughter.

Human Rights Commission Executive Director Robert Appel says now that the commission has ruled, it will try to negotiate a settlement between Gillette and Freedom. If that fails a lawsuit is possible.