Another Person Charged With Feeding The Poor In Florida

[Constantinopolis]

And people wonder why I support revolutionary violence against the capitalist class and their henchmen in politics.

This is why.

[Clayton Island]

Deleted.

[The Neo-Confederate States of America]

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?

WTF Florida, just WTF.

[True American States]

Also isn't Floriduh part of the Bible Belt? The darn Holy Land Experience is at Orlando. Why aren't all Christians up in arms over this? This is a offensive to Christians and it shows you that the Politicians over at that little city or town or whoever vote this ordinance in will use religion to whatever advantage they have and drop it on a dime when its against their policies.
FOR SHAME!!!

[Constantinopolis]

Also isn't Floriduh part of the Bible Belt? The darn Holy Land Experience is at Orlando. Why aren't all Christians up in arms over this? This is a offensive to Christians and it shows you that the Politicians over at that little city or town or whoever vote this ordinance in will use religion to whatever advantage they have and drop it on a dime when its against their policies.
FOR SHAME!!!

AMEN!

Seriously, why isn't there a storm of uproar so massive that the mayor is forced to resign?

[Torsiedelle]

I live on the Florida-Georgia line.

I hate Florida...this is one of the reasons why. Such a ridiculous law, and I respect Abbot for going against it.

[Clayton Island]

Deleted.

[True American States]

Also isn't Floriduh part of the Bible Belt? The darn Holy Land Experience is at Orlando. Why aren't all Christians up in arms over this? This is a offensive to Christians and it shows you that the Politicians over at that little city or town or whoever vote this ordinance in will use religion to whatever advantage they have and drop it on a dime when its against their policies.
FOR SHAME!!!

AMEN!

Seriously, why isn't there a storm of uproar so massive that the mayor is forced to resign?

Probably cause its not about gays or gun control or Mexicans or anything related to Obama. I swear I heard that city somewhere before. Ft. Lauderdale you got skeletons in your closet. I'm going Google your name.

[Reploid Productions]

Floriduh

Let's lay off on the flamebaity/trollish nicknaming, plz. Llet's keep in mind that the 5 members of the City Commission of Ft. Lauderdale that voted for the law, the mayor who supports it, and the law enforcement that carry it out are not representative of the entire state population and that we probably have plenty of perfectly sane, reasonable Floridians on the site, including those who agree with you that the law is stupid.

[True American States]

Floriduh

Let's lay off on the flamebaity/trollish nicknaming, plz. Llet's keep in mind that the 5 members of the City Commission of Ft. Lauderdale that voted for the law, the mayor who supports it, and the law enforcement that carry it out are not representative of the entire state population and that we probably have plenty of perfectly sane, reasonable Floridians on the site, including those who agree with you that the law is stupid.

On a side note this got me pumped when I volunteer in the soup kitchen this week.

[Nazi Flower Power]

They shouldn't have arrested him for that.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

They shouldn't have arrested him for that.

They didn't. They fined him and told him to appear in court.

[Nazi Flower Power]

They shouldn't have arrested him for that.

They didn't. They fined him and told him to appear in court.

I misunderstood. They shouldn't have done that either.

[True American States]

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.

I work in a soup kitchen and while I only volunteer in one I can tell you STRAIGHT UP that soup kitchens are far from efficient. The homeless have to fight to get into the soup kitchen in order to eat. Its first come first serve. And that means the more youthful are going to eat more so then an elderly citizen. Volunteers are FAR from the industry standard of practicing food hygiene. I've seen them personally throw rotten food into their dishes so much the kitchen coordinator shut down the whole soup kitchen just to remake the food. Homeless people cut in line and demand more food and the portion sizes are a joke. We are talking about eating just enough so you survive. The kitchens are usually dirty, some volunteers are rude and make you wonder why are they there in the first place.

There are plus sides to soup kitchens don't get me wrong but they aren't exactly restaurants you wanna eat in.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

They didn't. They fined him and told him to appear in court.

I misunderstood. They shouldn't have done that either.

No, they shouldn't have.

[Risottia]

Why the fuck is this law in place?

My guess would be that the Ft.Lau. electors voted for local representatives and administrators who in their turn made and are enforcing that law.
Hence the electors have a fair share of responsibility.

[Donut Dynasty]

Yeah, well, yeah. That's actually pretty darn ridiculous.

[Donut Dynasty]

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?

Maybe, maybe.

[West Aurelia]

What exactly is the law that Abbott broke?

[Nazi Flower Power]

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.

From what they showed in the video, it looked like these guys organized an event to give out free food rather than just handing out whatever they had on them to random beggars. I mean they had tables...

[Occupied Deutschland]

Obviously the city is in the right.
These supposedly 'charitable' people could well have been handing out poisoned food, were doing so without a license to transport or distribute that food, probably made that food in a non-commercial kitchen, and handed it out in an unhygenic area that creates a public nuisance.

Just like any children with lemonade stands, this represents a serious threat to the public that must be stopped.

[Costa Fierro]

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.

I have that very problem. They congregate on the front lawn or sit outside the front door on the deck. They even start tapping at the window if they haven't been fed quickly enough.

Clearly homeless people are like ducks. They make unusual noises, are found in parks and shit everywhere. And they are attracted by the smell and sight of fresh food and they will badger you until you feed them or give them money.

Seems legit.

[Cata Larga]

[*insert that one Bugs Bunny .gif with Florida here*]

[Costa Fierro]

Obviously the city is in the right.
These supposedly 'charitable' people could well have been handing out poisoned food, were doing so without a license to transport or distribute that food, probably made that food in a non-commercial kitchen, and handed it out in an unhygenic area that creates a public nuisance.

Just like any children with lemonade stands, this represents a serious threat to the public that must be stopped.

Lemonade stands essentially use child labour to make their products. They also don't pay taxes, pay minimum wage or provide healthcare plans for their workers.

Clearly they are a menace to the American worker by undercutting Big Soda and must be stopped at all costs.

[The Grim Reaper]

Lemonade stands essentially use child labour to make their products. They also don't pay taxes, pay minimum wage or provide healthcare plans for their workers.

Clearly they are a menace to the American worker by undercutting Big Soda and must be stopped at all costs.

They don't have to pay minimum wage, they're paid by tipping.