US man arrested for feeding homeless

Quote: Originally Posted by sanctus

Police in the United States city of Florida have arrested an activist for feeding the homeless in downtown Orlando.

According to police, Food Not Bombs charity group spokesman Eric Montanez was charged with violating a controversial law against feeding large groups of destitute people in the city centre.

Mr Montanez was filmed by undercover officers on Wednesday as he served "30 unidentified persons food from a large pot utilising a ladle," an arrest affidavit said.

The Orlando area is home to Disney World and Universal Studios Florida.

The Orlando law, which is supported by local business owners who say the homeless drive away customers, has been challenged in court by civil rights groups.

It allows charities to feed more than 25 people at a time within 3.2 kilometres of the Orlando City Hall only if they have a special permit.

They are able to receive two permits a year.

Police have collected a vial of the stew Mr Montanez was serving as evidence.

Police spokeswoman Barbara Jones says it is the first time anyone had been arrested under the feeding ban.

Mr Montanez has been charged with a misdemeanour.

- Reuters

Quote: Originally Posted by karrie

Most cities have similar laws, they just disguise them better.

Health codes would prohibit this in many cities.

Anti-loitering bylaws would prevent it in others.

It sucks, but when it comes right down to it, there are reasons.

1. Potentially making homeless people ill through bad food handling practises undermines what you are trying to do.

2. It alienates business owners by driving away customers. This creates less charity, not more.

3. It alienates the governments which try to help soup kitchens through grants, again, creating less charity. Each city makes money through its image. There's no ifs ands or buts about it. Good image means more money. More money means more taxes, which increases a city's ability to aid the homeless, etc. Large scale 'feedings' make a city look bad, injuring its earning potential.

Even the kindest cities have to find a balance between trying to be helpful and trying to keep businesses, and their average contituents, happy.

Quote: Originally Posted by I think not

Could not have said it better myself. These people that wish to help, can do so by going to an organization that helps the situation.

Quote: Originally Posted by gopher

Feeding the poor is a mandate according to the Bible's laws. As we are a Christian professing Nation we are obligated to respect what that man has done.

Quote: Originally Posted by tamarin

There's also a chance the man mistook them for pigeons. It is against the law to feed the birds in many cities as they soon become a nuisance. If indeed he mistook them for pigeons, it's also likely he's breaking many human rights laws as well. We shouldn't have to live in a society with a pecking order.

Feeding the poor is a basic moral injunction for anybody, regardless of Creed . There is NO excuse in this country, or the USA, for anybody starving.

Quote: Originally Posted by karrie

Most cities have similar laws, they just disguise them better.

Health codes would prohibit this in many cities.

Anti-loitering bylaws would prevent it in others.

It sucks, but when it comes right down to it, there are reasons.

1. Potentially making homeless people ill through bad food handling practises undermines what you are trying to do.

2. It alienates business owners by driving away customers. This creates less charity, not more.

3. It alienates the governments which try to help soup kitchens through grants, again, creating less charity. Each city makes money through its image. There's no ifs ands or buts about it. Good image means more money. More money means more taxes, which increases a city's ability to aid the homeless, etc. Large scale 'feedings' make a city look bad, injuring its earning potential.

Even the kindest cities have to find a balance between trying to be helpful and trying to keep businesses, and their average contituents, happy.

Quote: Originally Posted by sanctus

Feeding the poor is a basic moral injunction for anybody, regardless of Creed . There is NO excuse in this country, or the USA, for anybody starving.

Quote: Originally Posted by CDNBear

You took the words right out of my mouth, well actually you said it nicer then I would have.
Here, you deserve these...

Quote: Originally Posted by karrie

Most cities have similar laws, they just disguise them better.

Health codes would prohibit this in many cities.

Anti-loitering bylaws would prevent it in others.

It sucks, but when it comes right down to it, there are reasons.

1. Potentially making homeless people ill through bad food handling practises undermines what you are trying to do.

2. It alienates business owners by driving away customers. This creates less charity, not more.

3. It alienates the governments which try to help soup kitchens through grants, again, creating less charity. Each city makes money through its image. There's no ifs ands or buts about it. Good image means more money. More money means more taxes, which increases a city's ability to aid the homeless, etc. Large scale 'feedings' make a city look bad, injuring its earning potential.

Even the kindest cities have to find a balance between trying to be helpful and trying to keep businesses, and their average contituents, happy.

Quote: Originally Posted by selfactivated

Have you ever been to a soup kitchen or a pantry? I have......Its no where near easy to get there........they are usualally WAY off the bus system. And in my case its 6 miles away from where I live. With gas prices its imposibble to get to the nearest pantry.......and Im lucky I have a car. And I DONT go because it cost to much to get there!!

Oh yes lets hide our hungry our poor our insane so the public doesnt have to see the grim reality of how callus our society REALLY is!

Quote: Originally Posted by selfactivated

Our town's Mayor has made it against the law for people to hang out down town....Why? because its Richmonds 400th aniversary. And its unsightly. Screw that......arrest people for being homeless? Wheres the sense in that? I go to the pantry if its absolutely dire need cause it costs me 5 in gas to get there! Its degrading enough to be without food let alone needing it and not being able to get there! The lil deaf girl down there gets mad at me for not coming more often and when I do go (twice a year tops) Im in tears. ......im done.......im gonna go watch my movie. This world isnt going to ever change until it developes compassion.

Quote: Originally Posted by selfactivated

Im a single person and to look at me I need no groceries.....it imbarasses me to need help when small children need it more. Id rather starve than take food from a child.

Quote: Originally Posted by darkbeaver

Most food banks cannot fill the demands of the needy. Nothing will change untill we destroy the wealthy elites and thier greed forever.