Federal Court: First Amendment Protects Sharing Food With Homeless People

[G_j]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicksibilla/2018/08/27/federal-court-first-amendment-protects-sharing-food-with-homeless-people/#7ac861d44884

In a colorful decision that managed to invoke the Boston Tea Party, Lady Macbeth and Jesus of Nazareth, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Wednesday that feeding the homeless is “expressive conduct protected by the First Amendment.” The decision revives a challenge brought by a local chapter of Food Not Bombs, which sued Fort Lauderdale, Florida for requiring a permit to share food in public parks.

Thanks to the city’s ordinance, Fort Lauderdale has become infamous for cracking down on compassion. In 2014, police arrested a 90-year-old man and two ministers who were simply trying to share food with the homeless.

“We are very pleased with this ruling, and we look forward to continuing our community organizing in Fort Lauderdale,” Nathan Pim, a member of Fort Lauderdale Food Not Bombs and a plaintiff in the case, said in a statement. “We hope we are one step closer to something we’ve fought for over many years—simply being able to help people without being threatened with arrest by people who should be working with us.”

Every week at Stranahan Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Food Not Bombs offers free vegetarian and vegan meals to the public. Although many of the participants at these events are homeless individuals, Food Not Bombs is not a charity.

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[SWBTATTReg]

1. Good...this is a first amendment right when you think about it...

and if I want to give some food or aid to an individual (or group etc.), I should be able to.

[MiniMe]

2. When we used to cater lunches in downtown DC, there were always sandwiches left over

I used to take a few out with me when I went home and handed them out to homeless people. Hated to see it go to waste, though people might have eaten it the next day.

[TomSlick]

3. Seems pretty clear to me.

I can think of two or three religions off the top of my head that require adherents to feed the poor.

[MurrayDelph]

5. Don't be silly

You should know that Republicans know believe The Bible should be used to restrict rights.

[TomSlick]

6. Perhaps.

But some Christians understand Jesus to have meant what he said, you know, feed the poor, welcome the refugee, etc. Such Christians are as entitled to practice their religion as any.

[MurrayDelph]

7. Actually

I agree completely.

I was commenting on the other kind of "Christian": the ones who would rather thump the bible than open it, read it, and learn from it. You know: the ones who use their cross to flash their gang colors rather than as a reminder of how they should behave.

[TomSlick]

8. Understood.

I not sure the "Christians" you reference know there are Christians who have actually read the Gospels.

[john657]

4. WTF! Seriously?

This was an issue in FL?

What fucking idiot(s) decided that it was illegal to give food to the needy without a permit?
And, I suppose, one would have to pay for that permit.
How fucking stupid is that?

[Hekate]

10. It's all over the country, really. Really.

[john657]

11. Hopefully this ruling will negate all those insane laws against feeding

the needy without a permit.

[Hekate]

12. Well, so far it has been fought town by town. I'm on the side of those feeding the hungry...

...but it's been a long haul so far, with the people opposed citing all kinds of health and safety ordinances -- but basically they don't want city parks and sidewalks (and churches, and wherever) being cluttered by raggedy people.

Put your mind to it-- I am sure you can come up with everything from concerns about food prep and handling to littering.

[john657]

14. Not sure if you misunderstood me.

Put your mind to it-- I am sure you can come up with everything from concerns about food prep and handling to littering.

I'm all for repealing these onerous laws against feeding the needy without a permit, if one wants to give someone in need food, then there should be no obstacle against it.

[Hekate]

15. Exactly so

[leftstreet]

9. They should be required to have food handler cards though

I get that the issue isn't related to food safety, but just sayin...

[Solly Mack]

13. K&R