Judge to decide where Philly's homeless can be fed

[cbayer]

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/070912_Judge_to_decide_where_homeless_can_be_fed.html


Posted: Mon, Jul. 9, 2012, 9:36 AM
Judge to decide where Philly's homeless can be fed

By Joseph A. Slobodzian
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

For years, religious groups from around the region have driven vans and station wagons laden with food-filled coolers to a stretch of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway near the Free Library to feed homeless people.

Today, after years of debate, a federal judge will begin hearings to decide if city officials have a legal right to regulate where and how religious groups may feed homeless people.

Advocates contend in the suit filed June 4 that the city ordinance requiring religious groups to feed homeless people outdoors only on the apron at the west side of City Hall violates their First Amendment rights of association and to freely practice religion.

City officials, however, say the restrictions are designed with public health issues in mind and that the open, unregulated feeding of homeless people increases the risk of sickness from contaminated food.

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