Activist arrested for feeding homeless in Orlando hmpff..a vial of stew as evidence

[Blue Diadem]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/05/homeless.arrest.reut/index.html

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

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 Thursday.

Montanez was filmed by undercover officers 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 (3.2 kilometers) of Orlando City Hall only if they have a special permit. They can get two permits a year.

so they let people go hungry.. :grr:

[aquart]

1. Can't wait to see this in the courts.

The rulings will be vital precedents because we are going to have millions of homeless as the sea washes out our coastlines due to global warming.

[Le Taz Hot]

2. Well, I'm sure the fine people of Orlando

fell SO much safer that this wanton criminal is now behind bars. :sarcasm:

[philosophie_en_rose]

5. and that their tax money funded this incredible undercover operation.

:sarcasm:

[Nickster]

3. Because we all know that Jesus would never feed the homeless. n/t

[philosophie_en_rose]

4. oh my god! he fed people . . . with ladles! call 21 Jump Street!

:eyes:

There must be a way around this heartless law. Maybe fill cups or bowls with food. covering them, and leaving them on a table? Maybe someone with private property will have a heart and allow this? I've never been to Orlando, but what the fuck? Do people really tolerate this kind of shit there?

I just can't believe that Orlando is using undercover fucking cops to penalize people for feeding the poor.

:wtf:

[Blue Diadem]

8. Isn't it bizarre?

Oh..but nice wonderful Orlando does let those groups get 2..only 2 lousy permits a year to feed people.

[dogday]

6. Don't ya know they are just protecting the homeless?

They certainly can't have people bringing food to the homeless, it could be anything.. You know how the kindness of others is to poison the homeless :sarcasm:

[KG]

7. theres an law against feeding the homeless in tampa, too

isn't this a wonderful country we live in?

[Blue Diadem]

9. I've heard about some of the cities with the laws..

but stupid me really didn't think they'd enforce them.

[otherlander]

10. Does Miami have to be part of America?

[Le Taz Hot]

11. This situation just cries out

for civil disobedience. (Am I still allowed to say that on this board?) If only I were anywhere near Orlando . . .

Really, could they arrest, say 50 people doing this?

I'm just askin'.:evilgrin:

[Mojorabbit]

12. Yep

and they had someone in a van filming the whole feeding.