(Orlando) Florida police arrest activist for feeding homeless

[Up2Late]

Source: Reuters

Florida police arrest activist for feeding homeless

Thu Apr 5, 2007 2:12pm ET137

MIAMI (Reuters) - Police in Florida have arrested an activist for feeding the homeless in downtown Orlando.

Eric Montanez, 21, of the charity group Food Not Bombs, was charged with violating a controversial law against feeding large groups of destitute people in the city center, police said on Thursday.

Montanez was filmed by undercover officers on Wednesday as he served "30 unidentified persons food from a large pot utilizing a ladle," according to an arrest affidavit. 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 but has been challenged in court by civil rights groups, allows charities to feed more than 25 people at a time within two miles of Orlando city hall only if they have a special permit. They can get two permits a year.

(more at link)

Read more: http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyid=2007-04-05T181224Z_01_N05171935_RTRUKOC_0_US-USA-HOMELESS.xml

---

As a former Orlando resident, it doesn't surprise me that they would have a law like this there.

[FiveGoodMen]

1. I propose the death penalty for anyone who tries to STOP the feeding of anyone who's hungry.

[zonmoy]

10. way too good for someone who would force people to starve.

I would say that we let them live in the most horrid conditions possible. force them to eat food from garbage bins. and if they do anything to better their lot have send goons to beat them until they not only don't want better but wish only to lick the jackboots of the goons.

[FiveGoodMen]

15. Would take lots of oversight to enforce.

How about this: an operation that permanently blocks their esophagus. Let them get intravenous nutrients for the rest of their miserable lives.

[zonmoy]

17. not if the place you put them in is a prison set up to treat them that way.

[pokercat999]

67. I propose a boycott of Orlando! Who would want to

visit a town with these policies? Maybe just the RW Evangelical set, good Christians all.

[cloudbase]

2. Not enough

real crime for the police to go after, I guess.

[BushOut06]

26. Orlando's murder rate is skyrocketing through the roof

Last year, we had a record number of murders, and this year looks even worse. Nice to know that the city has their priorities right! You know it's bad when the friggin Guardian Angels have to pick up the slack because the cops are too busy busting people for helping the homeless.

[Lorien]

27. I was thinking the same thing

and the business excuse is a sham. I was walking to the downtown public library a few weeks ago and noticed that a waitress from a small restaurant (I think on Magnolia) was handing out boxed dinners behind the restaurant to several homeless people. No one with even a sliver of consciousness and compassion could be for that very "anti-Christian" law.

[KarenS]

3. How despicable & sad this is,,,,

in the so-called wealthiest Nation in the world that we 1) have a large population of homeless & hungry people 2) have laws such as this.

Florida is so not on our 'Places we'd like to vacation' List.

[saigon68]

4. hEY GRAB THAT GUY WITH THE 2 LOAVES AND FIVE FISHES

and toss his ass in jail

</sarcasm>

[MissMillie]

5. thank you

:loveya:

[saigon68]

6. Thx-- No problem !! just stating the obvious

[FiveGoodMen]

14. !

:toast::bounce::smoke::headbang::yourock::applause::rofl:

[Megahurtz]

19. Perfect LOL! n/t

[faithnotgreed]

30. and they would too .... how many parallels

to all that has happened
to all that is horrific throughout time are we seeing right before our very eyes

just bizarre to even conceive of not wanting to do everything you can to help others
but i know thats not limited to this time nor this country but it is striking when you hear and see it in so many ways

it is a tidal wave of prejudice and greed and i know im an idealist but i still cant fathom it

[Marnieworld]

35. worthy of a sign of protest outside the precinct

Sickening. And I bet every single arresting officer will be at Church on Sunday.

perfect response! :applaud:

[bluerum]

7. Ahh, good christian stock in Florida. Starve the poor, and make good

Samaritans apply for permits to line the pockets of the already rich.

[cap]

8. boy, I bet Jesus got into a lot of trouble with that loaves and fishes thing

never mind the wine.

[noel adamson]

11. That is exactly what he got into trouble for.

That and challenging the wealthy materialists who ran the "religious" institutions of the day.

[pokercat999]

68. Can you imagine the reception Jesus would get from

the RW Evangelicals today? It would be quite a joke if it weren't so sad.

[indepat]

9. The "what's good for bidness is good for Amerikkka" approach

[slampoet]

12. His accomplice was not caught but is described as 30 yrs old 6 ft tall, long hair with holes in ....

...in his hands and feet.

[Lint Head]

13. WWJD

Apparently this is just one of many Anti-Jesus laws. Jesus was for feeding the poor. More than that it is an anti human being law. The corporate world needs to be brought into line with what decency is. There are too many laws that are passed for greed and power over the needs of people. This is typical in our society and is utterly sick. :dem:

[damntexdem]

16. Aggrevated good Samaritanism.

A torte is a tort? Oh, no, it's a criminal law violation!

Well, what can one expect from Florida?

[Scairp]

18. "Utilizing a ladle"!?

Is a ladle now considered a deadly weapon if you're feeding homeless people?

[Up2Late]

21. The part I find most absurd is that they did Undercover Video Surveillance of this guy!

"...Montanez was filmed by undercover officers on Wednesday as he served "30 unidentified persons food from a large pot utilizing a ladle...,"

That, and that he apparently would have been O.K. if it hadn't been for those last 5 people he gave some food too!
25 is O.K., but 30 and it "DROP THE LADLE AND MOVE AWAY FROM THE POT!"

And apparently, someone went back to the video tape and counted the number of people he fed!

Talk about a waste of resources, let alone the "Police State" implications of this.

[saigon68]

33. Yes ----"Re-sheath that Ladle, young man"

Unreal

[EFerrari]

20. K&R

:mad:

[MasonJar]

22. Now there is a city of real Christians. NOT!

[cosmicdot]

23. knr

[ladjf]

24. Lucky that Jesus wasn't there. He feed thousands of people at his

gatherings.

[BushOut06]

25. The law clearly states that you can only feed 25 people

So after you've fed your 25 people, you're supposed to start putting the food away, and tell the other hungry folks in line "Sorry, go find your food elsewhere."

Such a bullshit law if I ever heard one.

[ProudDad]

29. Ah, but you could do it the "legal" way

and get a permit, up to two times a year.

Orlando's gotten real weird. Of course, it was pretty strange back when I visited before Disney bought it. A little cowtown in north Florida. Now it's gotta' be kinda' weirder.

You've got the classic divide between rich and poor and then throw in the theme parks, golf courses and spring training with ALL THOSE TOURISTS and....weird...

[ProudDad]

28. Alas, the first busts of Food Not Bombs folks

were here in "liberal" San Francisco.

In 1988 "Keith moved to San Francisco where he started a second Food Not Bombs group. Since then, Keith has been arrested over 100 times for serving free food in city parks and he has spent over 500 nights in jail. In 1995 Amnesty International and the United Nations Human Rights Commission joined thousands of supporter in working for his release. He faced 25 years to life after being framed under the California Three Strikes Law, because of his Food Not Bombs work."

(FUCK the 3 strikes law, by the way)...

"According to internal government documents the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force has been investigating and disrupting Food Not Bombs groups in Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, North Carolina and many other states. Keith's name was in a New York Times article where they published a U.S. State Department list of the 100 people who were not free to travel outside the country to attend protests. Even so he still travels often and has visited Food Not Bombs groups all over Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas. The last time Keith flew into the United States he was met at the door of the plane by two Homeland Security officers who searched his bags and wallet while questioning him about his work with Food Not Bombs and the peace movement. One of the officers typed in information from the contents of his wallet into a Homeland Security computer. There have been several reports that Food Not Bombs is listed on the FBI's "Terrorist Watch List"


http://www.foodnotbombs.net/keithbio.html

Terrorism = Feeding the homeless... :wow:


http://www.langston.com/Fun_People/1994/1994AQI.html

Warning! Picture of a "terrorist":

http://home.earthlink.net/~foodnotbombs/keith.html

[Up2Late]

31. I just had a GREAT Photoshop Idea!

We need a picture of a suitcase going through an X-ray machine, and in the bag you can see and industrial size Soup Ladle!

That would be so cool.

[DarkTirade]

32. I live in Orlando

It's crappy urban sprawl that drives people away from downtown businesses.

[Up2Late]

34. Yup, and that urban sprawl comes with an actual monetary cost, the most expencive...

...Toll Roads I've ever encountered in the U.S.

I think it would be a close contest as to who has the most expensive to use Toll Roads, Orlando or France?

[DarkTirade]

36. Between that and the crappy schools

I'm sure as hell not planning on staying long enough to raise kids here.

[Big Pappa]

37. I am

sure the police had no other pressing matters.:sarcasm:

[Heidi]

38. Kick.

:kick:

[cosmicone]

39. Arrest is first under homeless-feeding law (Orlando Sentinel)

Source: Orlando Sentinel

Arrest is first under homeless-feeding law

A long-simmering dispute between homeless advocates and Orlando officials intensified Wednesday with the arrest of an activist feeding transients in Lake Eola Park downtown.

Eric Montanez, 21, is the first to be arrested under the city's controversial ordinance that bars feeding large groups of people in downtown parks without a special permit.

The rule was approved last summer after residents and businesses in Orlando's gentrifying downtown complained that parks were being used as soup kitchens.

The arrest enraged volunteers, who said it was proof that the city cares little for its neediest residents.

"Police are arresting people for feeding the homeless," local ACLU President George Crossley said. "This has been a truly disgusting day."

Calls to Mayor Buddy Dyer and a city spokeswoman were not returned. Police spokeswoman Sgt. Barbara Jones said the arrest was warranted.


Read more: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-homeless0507apr05,0,7402374.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

---

Absolutely unbelievable!! People are now being arrested for giving food to the needy...

[no_hypocrisy]

40. Don't feed the bears or the homeless . . . .

Is this our country anymore?

[spotbird]

41. What would Jesus do?

These pigs will go to church on Easter to celebrate their Christianity. It's despicable.

[William769]

43. And so will people who feed the homeless.

:shrug:

[spotbird]

59. It's all about sincerity. nt

[tanyev]

55. Uh, something like this, probably.

31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Matthew 25

[faithnotgreed]

56. whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of MINE, you did

for ME


a heartfelt amen

[faithnotgreed]

57. sadly you are right on with that prediction

i dont like to call anyone names but your prediction that the same people calling for/enacting this grotesque law going to Easter service is tragically correct

[rubberducky]

42. I weep for my country. What in the hell has happened to it?

[William769]

44. This is pure bullshit!

Hopefully there will be enough outcry that that law is abolished.

[ChiciB1]

45. I Think Florida Is Almost NUMBER One When It Comes To Giving

ANY aid to homeless people. I live near Sarasota, FL and several months ago I heard on Democracy Now that it was the WORST city in the nation when it came to helping the homeless! They do arrest and recently in St. Pete, Fl they shut down a "Tent City" for the Homeless even though many many people fought against it. Just put them out and closed it up!

We ALL know what this says about our country, but unfortunately too few actually care! I've thought so many times these past SIX years about simply disowning this place and moving to another country, but WHERE? I have thought of Costa Rica and Australia and Canada seems nice too, but I'm afraid that having lived in the south for most of my life that I just might freeze up there.

Plus, it's not really feasible for me and my family anyway because we care for my mother-in-law who has Alzheimer's! But, America just isn't America to me anymore. And I don't say that lightly!

[Forkboy]

46. Hey,at least we don't have death squads killing them.....yet.

[liberalnurse]

47. I find a special place in my heart and embrace the kindness of

those who reach out to to help the helpless. Truly a spiritual mission. That said, in effort to continue the practice, I would strongly encourage the volunteers to seek a structural venue to serve the food instead of using the public Park.

I can understand the banning of the feeding as it is not organized nor does it provide control of the crowd which becomes a safety hazard. This open range style provides an opportunity for the "ungrateful" to practice their skills, which places the needy and the volunteers at great risk. Public Health concerns arise only because of established food service ordinances are violated. These rules are needed to protect the public, which includes the homeless....they have kept us reasonably safe from disease so far and I deem them essential. If the volunteers are sincere activist, then they should have no problem locating a church or a donated empty building that is up to code to conduct their mission.

Okay, flame away....

[alphafemale]

48. How appropriate a story for this weekend.

Maybe they'll "crucify" him.

I'm a Unitarian Universalist, and so I am not in the mainstream religious loop in this country.

But some things never change...sigh.

[Up2Late]

49. Dupe

Here's the link: <http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2795901&mesg_id=2795901>

[Mojorabbit]

50. The code pink group

I belong to helps with this feeding. There is some kind of loophole which says you can't feed more than thirty people per group so several groups meet for the feeding to get around this. They had someone in a van filming and Eric passed 30 and they arrested him. I think last week they gave tickets to the feeders for parking. there is a lawsuit winding it's way through the courts dealing with the law.

[LiberalFighter]

51. Since they don't want the homeless to be fed...

dump the garbage on the lawns of the mayor and council people to start

[louis-t]

52. These are the same people that sent their kids

running a police line with bread in their hands at the hospital to try and 'feed' Terri Schiavo. Hoo-boy.

[19jet54]

53. Anti-Good Samaritan Law?

Jesus would be pleased with these 'compassionate conservatives'? :sarcasm:

[goforit]

54. Only the inhumanity in Disney World....Bush's depopulation policy!

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

58. It's time...

To build some fires under some tar pots. Rip up some old feather pillows. Sweeten some dispositions.

[Mojorabbit]

60. From the food not bombs people

Eric Montanez on Wed,, April 5 became the first person and the first member
of Orlando Food Not Bombs arrested for violating Orlando's "large group
feedings" ordinance, which, essentially, bans sharing food with homeless
people in 42 parks in downtown Orlando within a two-mile radius of Orlando
City Hall. This ordinance is driven by prejudice against the homeless and
the desire for profits and gentrification by downtown developers and
business interests. Eric's arrest contradicts a statement that the Orlando
police made to the Orlando Sentinel in a March 22 article--"police say an
ordinance adopted last summer to end feeding the homeless in city parks is
NOT being enforced until a court rules on its legality." (Emphasis added by
me) Of course, you can't trust the city's officials, employees, lawyers and
cops. They say one thing to lawyers for FNB and homeless advocates and then
do another. The March 22 article was about a news conference that the
Central Florida ACLU, ACORN, Orlando Food Not Bombs and others held outside
Orlando police headquarters to denounce Orlando police harassment in the
African-American community and Orlando police harassment of FNB, including
parking tickets received by 3 FNB members on March 14 while food was being
unloaded from their cars, coupled with videotaping of the drivers, their
vehicles and their license tags. (The videotaping reoccurred on March 28.)
Our ACLU lawyers bonded Eric out of jail Wed. night at 12:30 a.m. There
should be statement from Orlando Food Not Bombs within the next few days.

Below is an article from the Orlando Sentinel and a report from a local TV
station. Our ACLU lawyers are going to try to get an injunction in federal
court against the city over the harassment of FNB and the enforcement of
the ordinance--pending the federal court trial on the lawsuit in June of
2008. Something i probably need to explain is that while we started sharing
at Lake Eola Park in May of 2005 between Aug. 2006 and Jan. 2007 we shared
on a street corner about a block from the park. However, we decided to go
back into the park because of police harassment at the street corner
location and legal developments. We also had a strategy based upon having
multiple groups--allies from the S.T.O.P. coalition--share food with us
divided by the number of people with whom we share food (that's what the
article alludes to) since it takes 25 or more people per group sharing and
receiving food to trigger the ordinance. Orlando had a record-setting 49
murders last year and 18 so far this year, but the OPD could spare 15 of
their donut-fed finest to surveil us, try to intimidate us and to arrest
Eric. Well, we're not intimidated, and we will back in the park next week.
i would estimate that we shared with at least 50 people (not 35) on Wed.
Also, the arrest happened around 6 p.m. (not 5:15).

Oh yeah, our website address is http://orlandofoodnotbombs.org

[melody]

61. The poor should do what the Irish did during the Great Hunger

Offer their babies as food to the government people who pass these laws -- in other words, if they won't let them have food, they should kill them and end their misery.

[cascagraphic]

62. "War on the Poor"??

[yellowcanine]

63. "Police also collected a vial of stew as evidence." I am speechless.

Are they going to run lab tests on it to make sure it is edible?

[saigon68]

69. Good thing there is NO Crime in Orlando

I would love to be on this jury when the case came to court

[yellowcanine]

72. Never mind the jury. I would love to be on a Grand Jury and have a prosecutor ask for

an indictment against folks feeding the homeless. Smackdown time.

[ninkasi]

64. What happened to my country?

What happened to caring for the less fortunate among us? Conservative rule has brought nothing but despair, war, and a mean streak a mile wide in our policies. Strange, that so many of the right-wing consider themselves "Christians", then go around breaking every one of the truths preached by Jesus.

Since the religious right is trying so hard to tear down the wall of separation between church and state, couldn't we make an argument that in feeding the hungry, we are doing Jesus' bidding? Oh, wait...that's not what they are talking about, is it? No, they're talking about a woman's right to choice, two loving people of the same sex being married, and basing education on science, not faith. Hypocrites.

I want nothing more than for these people to be completely driven from power, and let those of us who believe in helping the less fortunate up, and living in peace, and prosperity, to guide our once great country.

[Kool Kitty]

65. This is a disgrace, and these people should be ashamed of

themselves. Remember the story of Jesus feeding the multitudes with loaves and fishes? Good thing he wasn't in Florida.

[entanglement]

66. Shame on the fascist thug Orlando cops

Shame on the evil swine who passed this law

[cap]

70. WWJD?

[Up2Late]

71. kick n/t

:kick: