Another Person Charged With Feeding The Poor In Florida

[Yumyumsuppertime]

A 90 year old man this time, along with two pastors.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL (WPLG/CNN) – It did not take long for City of Fort Lauderdale to make good on the promise to criminally charge those who violate a new ordinance that effectively outlaws groups from feeding the homeless in public.

On Sunday, the city charged three people, including two ministers and a 90-year-old homeless advocate, and they could face up to 60-days in jail for their so-called crime.

“I fully believe that I am my brother’s keeper. Love they neighbor as thy self,” explained Arnold Abbott.

90-year-old Abbott prepares hundreds of meals each week for the homeless in the kitchen of the Sanctuary Church.

“We serve two entrées at every feeding,” Abbott said.

But Abbott’s work now has him in trouble with the law.

He faces possible jail time and a $500 fine for feeding the homeless after he was charged Sunday with violating a new ordinance that virtually outlaws groups from sharing food with the hungry in the city.

“One of police officers came over and said ‘Drop that plate right now,’ as if I was carrying a weapon,” Abbott said.

Also charged was a minister from Coral Springs and Sanctuary Church pastor, Wayne Black.

“We believe very strongly that Jesus taught us that we are to feed his sheep,” said Pastor Black.

Mayor Jack Seiler warned arrests were coming.

“We enforce the laws here in Ft. Lauderdale,” said Mayor Seiler.

“It’s man’s inhumanity to man,” Abbott said.

Back in 1999, Abbott sued the city for banning him from feeding homeless on beach, a lawsuit he won.

“I’m going to have to go to court court again to sue the city of Fort Lauderdale, the beautiful city. These are the poorest of the poor. They have nothing. Don’t have a roof over their head, and who could turn them away?” Abbott asked.

Abbott is going to be firing up these stoves again on Wednesday when he has another food sharing plan for the beach. He says he doesn’t want to be arrested but he’s prepared for the possibility.

Another unjust law, three more brave folks willing to stand up to injustice in the name of humanity. If the city is so concerned with homeless people congregating, then the appropriate answer is more comprehensive services for the homeless population of the area, not shutting down those who are doing their best to help. Providing food for hungry people is the most basic form of charity, one recognized as an essential good by every major religion and culture that comes to mind. The existence of laws such as this seems to go against what it means to be human.

Thoughts?

[Cyrisnia]

Whats wrong with feeding the homeless?

[Vamtrl]

Whats wrong with feeding the homeless?

Do it in a private place?

[Cyrisnia]

Whats wrong with feeding the homeless?

Do it in a private place?

.....good one.

[Margno]

Fuck, I should go get arrested in Florida.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

Whats wrong with feeding the homeless?

Do it in a private place?

Where, exactly? Homeless people tend to congregate in public places, not private ones. If you're providing a service for those who are down and out, then it's best to go to where they are, considering the difficulty of getting word out to the general population of homeless people.

[Lordieth]

Whats wrong with feeding the homeless?

Do it in a private place?

Exactly! The homeless should be fed in their own homes.

Ah.

[The Orson Empire]

It's amazing how cruel some humans can be.

[Mizrad]

Can we just put up a big wall around Florida?

[The balkens]

Silly people, The poor can't eat.

[Wisconsin9]

Really, Fort Lauderdale? Fucking really? This is the most pathetic and despicable stupidity I have ever seen come from your state. Mayor Seiler-- WHAT THE FUCK?! Ft. Lauderdale police-- WHAT THE FUCK?! Ft. Lauderdale citizens-- WHAT THE FUCK?! Every single person in that city who just stands by and watches while this happens should be ashamed. I mean, honestly, what the fuck? This isn't just picking on somebody smaller than you, it's kicking someone in the balls while they're stuck in a wheelchair. This is disgusting and utterly deplorable.

[Reploid Productions]

Whats wrong with feeding the homeless?

It encourages those no-good moochers who should just go get a job already to hang around and bring their icky homeless germs into the public space where the hardworking elite have to see them, and heaven forbid, maybe feel uncomfortable seeing those welfare queens actually getting to eat real food!

Really, it sounds to me like the law is an attempt at making the area so inhospitable that the homeless population migrates elsewhere. Instead of, oh, say, taking steps to help get the homeless off the streets? Y'know, housing, job development, that sort of thing?

[Edward Scissorhands]

that virtually outlaws groups from sharing food with the hungry in the city.

Note the virtually, it usually means they are over-dramatizing it. I don't know much about the law, I'm not American, but if it's true, so much for land of the free, eh? 'MURICA

[Vetalia]

“It’s man’s inhumanity to man,” Abbott said.

Sums up my opinion quite succinctly...it's pretty messed up when the strategy to combat homelessness is to starve them out of the city. Why don't they just make homelessness a crime punishable by summary execution?

[Geilinor]

This is ridiculous. Where are the homeless going to be if not in public places?

[Espresso and Insanity]

Why the fuck is this law in place?

[Ieperithem]

If the city is so concerned with homeless people congregating, then the appropriate answer is more comprehensive services for the homeless population of the area

And how's that working out for California? Come to think of it, how's the macro scale implementation of that policy working out for Sweden?

On topic, while people should be allowed to give food to the homeless, one can see the reasoning behind the law. Soup kitchens and the like are a vastly more efficient form of charity than begging. If you want to help feed the poor, donate to one of those or volunteer your time, rather than handing out whatever extra food is on your person to a beggar you happen to like. It's fairer, safer, and better for the community, and it only requires that you show a little extra commitment as a person.

[Reploid Productions]

Really, Fort Lauderdale? Fucking really? This is the most pathetic and despicable stupidity I have ever seen come from your state. Mayor Seiler-- WHAT THE FUCK?! Ft. Lauderdale police-- WHAT THE FUCK?! Ft. Lauderdale citizens-- WHAT THE FUCK?! Every single person in that city who just stands by and watches while this happens should be ashamed. I mean, honestly, what the fuck? This isn't just picking on somebody smaller than you, it's kicking someone in the balls while they're stuck in a wheelchair. This is disgusting and utterly deplorable.

So tell us how you really feel. Not that I disagree with your assessment. It's a fucking stupid law that does nothing except inflict more harm and difficulty on those who are most vulnerable.

[The Liberated Territories]

Florida has a huge homeless population.

[Vetalia]

Note the virtually, it usually means they are over-dramatizing it. I don't know much about the law, I'm not American, but if it's true, so much for land of the free, eh? 'MURICA

I think the implication is the structure of the ordinance makes it effectively impossible to legally adhere to it when feeding the homeless. Sort of like how you could technically grow and sell marijuana if you bought a tax stamp but in reality it just guaranteed your prosecution.

[Vamtrl]

Do it in a private place?

Where, exactly? Homeless people tend to congregate in public places, not private ones. If you're providing a service for those who are down and out, then it's best to go to where they are, considering the difficulty of getting word out to the general population of homeless people.

There are community houses, shelters, churches etc. where food can be distributed.

[Geilinor]

Why the fuck is this law in place?

Their argument is that the homeless will gather if fed. It's like, "Don't feed the ducks" for humans.

[Geilinor]

Where, exactly? Homeless people tend to congregate in public places, not private ones. If you're providing a service for those who are down and out, then it's best to go to where they are, considering the difficulty of getting word out to the general population of homeless people.

There are community houses, shelters, churches etc. where food can be distributed.

If those shelters are insufficient in number?

[Wisconsin9]

This is ridiculous. Where are the homeless going to be if not in public places?

Anywhere that doesn't involve them making tourists squeamish, I think is the logic behind the law. Beyond that I don't think the city gives a fuck.

Really, Fort Lauderdale? Fucking really? This is the most pathetic and despicable stupidity I have ever seen come from your state. Mayor Seiler-- WHAT THE FUCK?! Ft. Lauderdale police-- WHAT THE FUCK?! Ft. Lauderdale citizens-- WHAT THE FUCK?! Every single person in that city who just stands by and watches while this happens should be ashamed. I mean, honestly, what the fuck? This isn't just picking on somebody smaller than you, it's kicking someone in the balls while they're stuck in a wheelchair. This is disgusting and utterly deplorable.

So tell us how you really feel. Not that I disagree with your assessment. It's a fucking stupid law that does nothing except inflict more harm and difficulty on those who are most vulnerable.

I could tell you, but then you'd have to ban me.

[Vamtrl]

There are community houses, shelters, churches etc. where food can be distributed.

If those shelters are insufficient in number?

Like I said, community houses/centers and churches/synagogues/mosques/temples (if present) are also available. They could also utilize their own place of operations to distribute the food.