3 Arrested in Orlando for ‘Illegally’ Feeding the Homeless
- Posted on June 3, 2011 at 11:56am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Did you know that in some Orlando, FL parks it’s illegal to feed large groups? It is. And that means that some people who want to feed large groups of homeless people find themselves at odds with the law. So much so, that some of those people were arrested on Wednesday for intentionally breaking it.
Jessica Cross, 24, Benjamin Markeson, 49, and Jonathan “Keith” McHenry, 54, were all arrested on Wednesday night and charged with violating the ordinance restricting group feedings in public parks, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
The trio is part of a controversial group called Food Not Bombs, which unashamedly trumpets a social justice agenda.
“Food Not Bombs shares free vegan and vegetarian meals with the hungry in over 1,000 cities around the world to protest war, poverty and the destruction of the environment,” the group’s site says. “With over a billion people going hungry each day how can we spend another dollar on war?”
Outside the courthouse, McHenry wasn‘t afraid to state the group’s mission:
A picture on their website, which seems to be a variation on the socialist fist, sums it up:
The Orlando Sentinel sites arrest papers that say the trio was arrested for feeding 40 people in Lake Eola Park.
“They intentionally violated the statute,” Lt. Barbara Jones, an Orlando police spokeswoman, told the Sentinel.
But Douglas Coleman, speaking for Orlando Food Not Bombs, said the arrests were ridiculous.
“They basically carted them off to jail for feeding hungry people,” Coleman, who was not present, told the Sentinel. “For them to regulate a time and place for free speech and to share food, that is unacceptable.”
Despite the arrests, the Sentinel reports police waited until all the homeless were fed before making the arrests.
And the story does have an added curious dimension considering what is in the arrest reports:
Arrest documents state that Orlando Food Not Bombs received permits and fed more than 25 homeless people at Lake Eola Park on May 18 and 23. Coleman said the group rejected the permits.
On May 25, Orlando Food Not Bombs illegally fed a large group of homeless people, the police report states. The group on its website called for members to show up that day and defy the city ordinance, according to the report.
Officers said they found a press release on Markeson when they arrested him stating that group members planned to defy the ordinance Wednesday.
The trio could face penalties of up to 60 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both.
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Comments (254)
Bushie
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:24pmWould this be more excepted if this group was pushing Communism. They had an agenda and it wasn’t to feed the homeless but to recruit.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:38pmWell in the event you feed the Comi’s to the hungry.
Report Post »GENEPAGLIARI
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 3:56pm“Excepted” means left out or overlooked. The word you wanted was “accepted” which means included.
Report Post »bandi9
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:24pmexactly what this group of weirdo’s wanted: publicity. man the re sure are some wacked out people in this world
Report Post »20YRNavy
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:22pmSo the law says you must have a permit to feed large crowds…. They were feeding a large crowd with no permit… It appears as if they were breaking the law.
Report Post »Intentions should not factor into the equation however good, or bad, they may be. This is no different than illegal aliens crossing our border. I understand why it happens, both illegal immigration AND feeding the poor with no permit to do so. But WHY it gets done doesn’t matter. This is why justice is blind.
AlmostaCowboy
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 5:33pmSocial justice is a tool of, for, and by socialists mandated and enforced by the gov’t. Generosity and charity are mandated by God and enforce by the heart.
Report Post »AlmostaCowboy
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 5:34pmsorry, that got posted to the wrong comment
Report Post »theamericanvision
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:22pmSomething doesn’t smell right about this, and I don‘t think it’s the mess in the park… Seems like a good example that only government can help the poor.. I question the motives. If you want to feed the poor, work with the local food bank, rent a facility, get the permit.
There’s something else going on here…
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:40pmThat does seem to be the case here.
Report Post »dakotachuck
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:22pmI wonder what constitutes a “large” group?
Report Post »Bushie
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:20pmThey needed to have the food checked by Michele obama first.
Report Post »richard bensen
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:20pmI don’t agree with their politics but I agree with helping people especially if they are hungry.This ordinance seems to be aimed at the homeless ( Good Luck ). I guess my friends and I won’t be feeding the birds and eating hotdogs in that city park.Come now Orlando, WTF…………….
Report Post »Attilashrugs
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:20pmThose “Food Not Bombs” are making a ludicrous assumption: namely, that if defense spending were slashed, that money would be available to feed the hungry. It implies that the recipients’ “food money” was squandered on bombs. More likely it was squandered on Crack, Dope and Booze. Or more precisely: their ability to earn money was insufficient for the task of providing both food AND their drug of choice!
Report Post »Whether or not our Military is being put to the service of nefarious One World Plutocrats is not at issue here. Our Military, indeed is being abused, and has become the attack dog of the NWO. Just as our Economy has become their ATM!
FEED THE POOR! ABSOLUTELY! But do NOT use your “generosity” to advance your political causes. Because verily you will have your reward now, to be seen by men, rather than by Adenoi Elohim.
commonsenseguy
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:41pmwell said , no matter how much the government can cut, it will not benefit anyone,specifically the homeless, the government will find other pet projects to spend it on { unions, anti american propaganda, and keeping obama or some other left wing ,commie supporting ,liberal turd in power,
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:19pmIf they wish to be viewed as being a morally good group then they should follow the ordinance. If they were allowed the permits to do this activity then the city was GOOD to grant them and FOOD not Bombs has shame on its face for tearing them up thus allowing themselves to break the law which no doubt ended the feeding of the homeless they sought to help right on the spot. What happened to the food then, how about the donors who gave it? What a waste.
Report Post »PatriotSmith
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:19pmI don’t really have much sympathy for the homeless (except for the mentally ill) because all the hobos I’ve talked to choose to be homeless!!!
Report Post »zulu
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:17pmDont help your friends let them starve. hopey changy folks.
Report Post »Are you ready to stand up aganist this kind of crap?
Cabo King
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:17pmthis isnt the America i grew up in, my god
Report Post »RedheadTexan
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:16pmYou want to feed homeless people? Fine, go find them and feed them. don‘t draw 50 drugged out stinky wretches to a park my tax dollars paid for while I’m trying to enjoy a nice day out with my kids. THAT is the point of the ordinance. This wasn’t about feeding anyone, it was about making a big show. That just annoys the heck out of me. If you want to make a statement, fine, do it and be HONEST about it. Don’t cloak in a false pretense of doing something selfless.
Report Post »Cerealface
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:40pmThey were arrested for feeding the homeless.
How is this not about food and feeding people?
Report Post »Cerealface
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:41pmHey you know what else?
They’re arrest was as fake as the food they were feeding the homeless.
Report Post »Rickfromillinois
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:12pmMaybe the really arrested them because they were passing out vegan and vegetarian meals. That would get boring real quick not to mention the gastro-intestinal affects those meals would have on the homeless. Most of them already smell bad. Who needs a bunch of homeless people running around being constantly flatulent ?
Report Post »pavnvet
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:12pmThe point is that the group willfully disregarded the ordinance after being offered a permit. It was a law that was enacted by the representatives of the people of that town. That is how we do it in a republic. Unlike our current DOJ, the police enforced the rule of law.
This group got what they wanted….publicity.
Report Post »mpsnknox
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:16pmExactly, They’ve been exploiting the homeless for publicity through charity.
Report Post »Cerealface
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:47pmHow dare they use them by filling their bellies?
Report Post »Cerealface
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:48pmWhy is this a law anyway? Are there also signs in the park that say don’t feed the bears?
Report Post »pavnvet
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 1:03pmBoy, talk about not getting it. Why else purposely not obey the law? They wanted their cause (anti-war message) publicized. If they obeyed the law, no publicity.
Why is it a law? Could be that large gatherings are regulated to insure public safety, could be that there were serious health violations in the past, there could be a lot of reasons that the TAXPAYERS of that city had to limit and regulate gatherings.
I am not opposed to the homeless being helped. As a veteran, I volunteer helping homeless veterans. But, I also obey the law.
Report Post »mpsnknox
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:10pmThere are many areas in Downtown Orlando that are better suited for feeding the homeless… under the interstate would be ideal and out of the sun, or in one of the MANY large Churches downtown (who already do much to help the homeless). The homeless have to walk a great distance from the Parramore neighborhood to get to Lake Eola. Downtown Orlando is an upscale area and while these people are helping the homeless I can not help but think they are exploiting them to garner attention for their cause.
Report Post »RedheadTexan
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:16pmAmen!
Report Post »BiteMePETA
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:06pmFree country? Hardly…
You folks should read the book “One Nation Under Arrest”. Very eye opening…
http://www.scottsnetwork.com/net/currentevents.aspx?g=posts&t=4543
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 4:59pmYeah,so much for the freest most generous people the world has ever known.And you can blame these brainwahed tea party libertarians and the republican power elite for the fact that there are so many homeless hungry people in this country now.But these same meanspirited puritanical[if you don't work you don't eat, if you can't pay for health care you shouldn't get it, if you can't afford higher education you shouldn't get it etc.,] misers have plenty of money for wars.Long live the european socialized nanny state which is the way of all advanced enlughtened societies!
Report Post »RodT82721
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:04pmAre these ‘Food not Bombs’ a union group? Do they pay union wages?
I wonder if Debbie Whatsername got wind of this and shut it down, for failure to use union labor? Maybe they aren’t giving away the right foods! Did Michelle O know about this? So many questions, so few bombs.
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:04pmSo…screw them…their purpose this day was not to feed the homeless, but to knowingly defy a law they were fully aware of even though permits were available and had been granted in the past.
Add 60 days in county and a $5,000.00 fine for wasting everyones time.
Report Post »Cerealface
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:50pmYeah, fine them 5k for feeding homeless people. That way they can’t feed homeless people ever again.
Report Post »Cerealface
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:50pmOr themselves for that matter.
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 1:20pmReally…and what do you think the bill is going to be to us (the taxpayers) for the police to stand there and wait for them to finish, arrest them, book them, have them back before a judge and so on…just to enable their idiotic stunt?
This is not about feeding people…they have done that before, know how it works, know they need a permit, had permits in the past, had permits ready to be handed to them this time…and REJECTED them just to pull this dumba$$ stunt and get on YouTube/TV.
This had ZERO to do with feeding the homeless on BOTH sides…and everything to do with 1 party intentionally disobeying a perfectly sound law, and the other side having NO CHOICE but to enforce it.
Take the blinders oof for a minute and see this for what it was…a bad case of attention-wh0reism and the desire for a photo op/sound bite.
Next you’ll have a group who has regularly brought prepackaged, individually wrapped candy to an orphanage for Halloween as per the establishments policy…showing up with baggies of M&M‘s they bagged up themselves just so they can complain that the evil administrator’s office refuses to allow candy to be given to orphans.
Stupid.
Report Post »Vickie Dhaene
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:03pmI am not sure what to say about this. I don’t find any reason not to feed the homeless anywhere. I’m not sure how they linked “Social Justice”. The only concern I might have would be if they are secretly getting voting registration forms signed to maybe, steal some votes in the future?
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:03pmIf you feed them, they won’t feed themselv… um, never mind.
Report Post »Cerealface
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:53pmGive a man fish, feed him for a day.
Report Post »Teach a man to fish, watch him get arrested because you didn’t teach him how to buy a fishing license.
Brandon
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:02pmSounds like I would extremely disagree with this group. Food not bombs, yeah that makes sense. Like they’re interchangeable items.
But I even more so disagree with this law. We‘ve become such a nanny state that individual groups can’t feed homeless people? Are we stepping on the governments toes by feeding people? Do they feel that is their job and their job alone?
Maybe this socialist group will realize what a nanny socialist state does to everyone
Report Post »Cerealface
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:52pmMaybe they fed them with their unemployment checks.
Government hates spending money on the needy? Right.
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:02pmIf you feed them they won’t leave you alone.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:23pmWell in that event you feed the homeless to the hungry.
Report Post »Entropy
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 1:30pmI am all for helping somebody that is down and is TRYING. See the key word there? “TRYING”. I would give the shirt off of my back to somebody that is working at it. But, to folks that are not trying to better themselves-Screw em’.
Report Post »publicuss
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:02pmCivil libertarians once looked to this president to right the constitutional balance. But what Obama has wrought is the same old “Terror Presidency” with new rhetoric…. Our new “decider” launched a war in Libya without so much as a by-your-leave to Congress
Report Post »krenshau
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:01pmI don’t agree with social justice, but I do agree with helping people. Any ordinance that stands in the way of that is wrong.
Report Post »joe conservative
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:04pmHere’s the bottom line……poverty is a choice. Every citizen in this great country has an opportunity to succeed. If you truly work hard at acheiving goals (this would be the key factor) you will not be poor. If you make poor decisions, and are lazy, you will live in poverty. These are the facts of life that nobody wants to say. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7UWMwmhr7Q
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:09pmAre not parks for picnics…IT was just a big picnic.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:10pmYeah, the people getting fed do not care about the group’s agenda. They just want to eat.
Report Post »The group is intentionally defying the ordinance, so they know they are breaking local laws. This is now just a publicity stunt.
cboyd54
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:10pmI agree with helping those in need, in fact I belong to a group who does just that. But this group picks a public park that is not very big, to host their mass feeding of the homeless who also sleep and do their “business” in that park. I live in this city and have seen all the trash and filth left behind after these compassionate activities. The city granted them a permit to do it twice a year and they just tore it up to be defiant and risk being arrested just to make some social justice point. I’m sure they could have found a better location than the park in the heart of the city to do this. Hey, if I’m getting a free meal, I don’t really care where I go to get it. If I’m homeless, I obviously don’t have to worry about my job and I may really need the help. Then we have our professional homeless people who are homeless because they choose to be. I‘ve talked to some of them and they like the freedom and don’t want to work or have any responsibility. So I have no sympathy for this group whatsoever. If it was really about doing something good for those in need, they would work with the city to organize something in a place that would benefit all. This is more about them getting all the media attention.
Report Post »AKMIIKEUS
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:12pmI would think that as Christians we could help out.
Report Post »If God and Jesus were walking the Earth they would not turn their backs.
Reading some of the comments by the Blazers makes me sick that they call themselves Christians.
oldasdirt
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:12pmThey should have taken them to the ocean,and taught them to fish.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:13pmThey can feed people .. not in a public park .. without a permit . .which they refused. Lawbreakers will be arrested .. good for the police and nice that they waited until people were fed.
Just more social justice types who think they are above the law .. like those in the White House.
TEA!
Report Post »NOKOOLAIDDRINKER
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:14pmI don’t believe in social justice either. It’s just another name for socialism.
I believe in CHARITY, FREEDOM AND EQUAL JUSTICE!!! Socialism/social justice can never equal true CHARITY and can never succeed on a national level. Too much waste and corruption. Local CHARITY helps more people for less $’s.
This group appears to want to help needy people, but don’t know enough about their true agenda to decide if they are truely charitable.
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:14pmIt’s an ordinance which quickly stands aside when an easily accessible permit is requested and obtained.
Don’t like it? Maybe you would like someone to announce they are going to feed up to 500 homless in the park, have them show up for Twinkies and koolaid, destroy the grass, wizz on the trees, toot in the bushes and leave their trash everywhere…not to mention the % who decide “Hey! I think I’ll move here!” Great…will you pay the bill to repair everything and police them out of the park?
The ordinance is there to make sure it happens at a reasonable time, on a reasonable day, for a reasonable amount of people, with a reasonable number of staff there to handle it and ensure the clean up afterwards. You can’t just have people using a public park for their events whenever they want for whatever they want.
Report Post »Gruug
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:17pmHitler (or rather the early Nazi party) in Germany offered meals for the unemployed. They did this not so much in a “humanitarin” gesturre but rather a method of recruting members. I don’t see this group as being that interested in feeding anyone but rather in recruting. You take it from there.
Report Post »Firebrand
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:18pm@joe
Report Post »While your theory is fundamentally sound (hard work = success), it doesn‘t mean that people don’t need a hand up or a little help every once in a while to get back on their feet. Some things ARE out of our control, the trick is helping them from staying down. We should use our tribulations to buttress our perseverance and increase our drive. Sometimes you just have to prove to people that they can do it. We should have love in our hearts for others, at least at first. Isn‘t better to wait to turn your back until you know that the person you are reaching out to won’t grab your hand and let you help them up?
TomFerrari
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:19pmcalifornia did this too. the state said they had to have a health dept license to give away food and had to have an approved commercial kitchen etc.
Yep, big government there to help at every opportunity…
“DON’T FEED THE HOMELESS” brought to you by, your government.
“DON’T SAVE THE DROWNING MAN” brought to you by, your government.
If I have food to spare, I’m giving it to a homeless person. I‘ll suffer the wrath of 12 of my peers before I’ll watch a man starve or drown!
SHEESH!!!!
Remind me, WHO ARE THE HATERS?
Report Post »Firebrand
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:20pmThe group that is sponsoring the event should definitely clean up the park when they are done.
Report Post »LOOKING_BOTH_WAYS
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:20pmIf Jesus were alive today i bet he would also be arrested,heck maybe he is in jail right now waiting to drop the hammer
Report Post »DogWithA_Bone
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:20pmI totally disagree with the name of this group…
The ONLY function of the Federal gov’t is to protect our country.
People need to reach out locally for these issues.
The gov‘t shouldn’t provide for our pantries.
Hey why don’t they plant some gardens… good time of year for it.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:20pmVery wrong.
Report Post »Ironmaan
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:26pmThis is the kind of charity that should be supported. The kind that one does on his own accord, not compelled by the government to provide your tax dollars to support programs they deem neccessary.
Report Post »http://bioterrorsurvival.com
Armed Patriot
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:28pmI too do not agree with the political/social justice aspect of the group. The feeding the hungry is a good and noble thing. It is called charity and beats food stamps as this is willingly giving rather than wealth redistribution. The way it should be. People are not always homeless and hungry because they are lazy. Some are sick, some are crazy, some are hard luck stories and some are lazy. I say if it is privately paid for, go for it. Its your money. As for the ordinance it is probably to keep parks for the families rather than allowing them to become gathering points for the destitute.
Report Post »OrdnanceVet
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:29pmThis guy, Joe whatever saying Poverty is a choice is wrong. I have worked all my life, after leaving the military I find myself unemployable. If I list my military activities, what I was trained for, I will not get a call on a job. I’m going to school on the G.I. Bill now. Those who never work, and live off the Government may be considered poverty, but have more money than I do to spend. Poverty can happen to anyone, and Joe Whatever needs a damn wake up call.
Report Post »aypaytro
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:29pmIt sounds simple on the outset but this is a huge problem for those citizens living near any of those parks! We have the same problem. Groups come into our park (that don’t have to live nearby) and start feeding the “homeless”. The result is every plate, cup, food garbage all on the ground, professional jobless people camping out which results in our homes being broken into at night and when we’re at work. Scrap collectors stealing our metal-stole my neighbors aluminum wheel chair ramp! You try living near a so-called homeless camp and see how much you like it. There are better solutions for helping others who need food. It doesn’t have to be done while destroying someones neighborhood. If people are truly homeless they are not like the ones who choose to live this way and have for 20 years or more and refuse to join any helpful programs to get them off the street. In our park these are not people who just became homeless and need our help, they are long time scavengers and campers who come to our warm climate from all over. Many have been arrested numerous times and some are mentally unbalanced. It doesn’t help anyone to just perpetuate the problem by feeding them and thinking you are done. Sorry but our whole neighborhood is constantly being invaded and broken into by this exact situation and we have rules too about not feeding large groups in the city park, that is there for everyone to enjoy, just for this reason.
Report Post »Firelight
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:31pmIt is so eazy people —- Big Goverment wants to be in charge of us — including charity — they (in gov) like to feel good passing out other peoples stuff and taking credit. –Never Forget Libs Lie—
Report Post »booger71
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:35pmI would think that as Christians we could help out.
If God and Jesus were walking the Earth they would not turn their backs.
Reading some of the comments by the Blazers makes me sick that they call themselves Christians.
Their agenda is not to feed hungry people but to get everyone to eat vegan and to stop the Constitutionally approved funding for the military
Report Post »DDD
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:35pmHey, Joe, I must disagree. Poverty isn’t ALWAYS a choice. My hubby lost his job over two years ago, worked virtually for AmEx, can’t find another even after hundreds of resumes sent and a handful of interviews. We live in a rural area with no minimum wage jobs, let alone salaried ones. No, we can’t move – house has been on the market for over a year. We’re not “poverty level” yet – but with family of four living on retirement savings, won’t be long and we will be! This isn’t our choice and we keep looking for a way out.
Report Post »PatrioticAmericanDad
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:37pmBad Laws need to be changed not broken!
Report Post »RamblingsFromTheMiddleClass
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:37pm@AKMIIKEUS
“I would think that as Christians we could help out.
If God and Jesus were walking the Earth they would not turn their backs.
Reading some of the comments by the Blazers makes me sick that they call themselves Christians.”
——-
Really, AKMIIKEUS? I make you sick that I call myself a Christian because my church follows the “LAW” and feeds the homeless in an area of Philadelphia that the local city government allows us to? Thsi story has NOTHING to do with helping people. It has NOTHING to do with feeding the homeless. This story is nothing more than a group of people who knew about a law and violated it anyway.
If they truly wanted to help feed the homeless, then they would work with the city council to determine locations and times that they can set up feeding stations and adhere to the amount of people that can be gathered at one time. We do that here in south Philadelphia. We feed after our church service from 12:30 – 2:00pm, with different waves of people coming to our tent throughout that time for food, worship, community, and to also work with some of the homeless that want help getting a place to live and a job.
“God and Jesus would not turn their backs.” OH YES THEY WOULD. “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s”. Jesus fed the masses in a countryside, not is the middle of the city. Jesus would have followed local ordinances as well because he would have fed the masses because he truly cared about them and not about making a p
Report Post »I Hear the Wolves
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:38pmCivil disobedience for the sake of it is stupid! They had permits, they rejected them because they wanted to break the law. I hope they throw the book at these hippies!
Report Post »American Soldier (Separated)
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:39pm@CATB what happens when something you love to do becomes illegal? What if you were told next week that going to church and praying to God is illegal, would you just roll over and say “Well, it’s illegal now, I can’t break the law!” even as an agnostic, I would never back a law preventing you of your worship.
While I understand they had an agenda and were looking to break the law, civil disobedience, even if orchestrated, is an important public function. Had they just accepted the permit, none of us would know that there are laws preventing people from helping other people. Why do I need to ask permission to help my fellow man?
“When injustice becomes law, rebellion becomes duty” – Thomas Jefferson
I fully support people who are willing to defy the law, non-violently, in order to make the public aware of unjust law and overreaching big government initiatives.
The biggest outrage is that they were giving out vegan food. These guys need protein!
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:39pm@joe conservative
Couldn’t agree more. Poverty is a choice.
Report Post »neither1
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:40pm@ Joe Conservative: So, the bottom line is that poverty is a choice in this country. The bottom line? Poverty is a choice? You really need a dose of reality.
Report Post »encinom
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:40pmFunny thing is that these social justice types, protesting war by feeding the hungry are more christ like than most of the good christians condeming their actions.
Report Post »TheLoneConservative
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:40pm@JoeConservative
Well said, and I agree 100%. Is it bad that when I read this article I thought about the south park episode about giving the homeless change? haha.
I guess what I don’t get is that they could have done this legally but they purposely defied the law. So were supposed to feel sorry for them? Even though I don’t agree with their mission, I admire that they are out there helping others. And kudos to the cops for waiting until everyone was fed. God bless them.
http://theloneconservativetx.blogspot.com/
Report Post »Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:44pmBlaze –
When you post stories that have a lot of details “missing” – you discredit yourself.
It‘s like you post a headline of MAN EATING CHICKEN and it’s a story about a guy eating a KFC drumstick
Report Post »Cerealface
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:45pmJoe thinks being born poor is just kinetic potential energy. You can get a job in 9% unemployment just by snapping your fingers and being poor.
Report Post »Wayner
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:47pmThe social justice crowd wants to have their cake and eat it too. They want Big Brother intruding on everything in our lives but they don‘t want it when it comes to intruding on what they’re doing.
Report Post »desertkid
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:49pmThis group is doing a good thing but why do they have to be so radical about it. Is it more about the agenda and not the mission?
Report Post »bjc535
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:58pmI have mixed feelings about this….I do not think it should be a crime to feed someone…that is wrong….but on the other hand i don’t think homeless people should hang out in parks, it does make bring your kids to the park a bit awkward….I have been in this situation before, and have drunk homeless people passed on on benches defeats the purpose of a park….
I think arresting/fining people who feed homeless is just stupid though…..
Report Post »Blacktooth
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 1:20pmDon’t Feed The Bears!
Do we want the bears to become a problem?
Report Post »Ditto for human homeless people in our public parks.
PATTY HENRY
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 1:38pmBefore you write that I‘ve violated someone’s rights, realize that all of the above is voluntary. If you want our money, accept our rules. Before you say that this would be “demeaning” and ruin their “self esteem,” consider that it wasn‘t that long ago that taking someone else’s money for doing absolutely nothing was demeaning and lowered self esteem.
If we are expected to pay for other people’s mistakes we should at least attempt to make them learn from their bad choices. The current system rewards them for continuing to make bad choices.
Alfred W. Evans, Gatesville , TX
AND while you are on Government subsistence, you no longer can VOTE! Yes, that is correct. For you to vote would be a conflict of interest. You will voluntarily remove yourself from voting while you are receiving a Government welfare check. If you want to vote, then get a job.
Give that man a job setting up standards, implementation, and enforcement. But locate his office in Waco because we wouldn‘t want his mind poisoned but whatever they’re drinking in DC
Report Post »jorge_washington
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 1:40pm“Here’s the bottom line……poverty is a choice. Every citizen in this great country has an opportunity to succeed. If you truly work hard at acheiving goals (this would be the key factor) you will not be poor. If you make poor decisions, and are lazy, you will live in poverty. These are the facts of life that nobody wants to say. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7UWMwmhr7Q”
Poverty is a choice like having your company shut down and move its operations overseas is your choice or like having you replaced by a foreign worker earning half of what you do is your choice. The choice is someone else’s that affects you. By the way, it is rich people that are lazy especially those that inherit wealth for these people have money in the bank so they never worry about an empty stomach.
Report Post »tommyg524
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 1:42pm…this great country ? what great country ? all the jobs are in China and india, Taiwan, according to the elitists wishes, this means the elitists in and outside of the white house, you know, goldman sachs et al?
Report Post »there are also people who‘ve bent over backwards for companies they’ve worked for, and people whove lost their 401k’s due tot he same elititist machine, remember ?? maybe some of them actually ended up in a park and are hungry? WWJD?
BMMiller1975
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 2:01pmJesus said that we were to feed the hungry. Any city that thinks they are a higher authority than God himself should check their ego at the door. No one is required to follow a law that requires them to violate the laws of God.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 2:05pmjoe conservative
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:04pm
Here’s the bottom line……poverty is a choice. Every citizen in this great country has an opportunity to succeed. If you truly work hard at acheiving goals (this would be the key factor) you will not be poor. If you make poor decisions, and are lazy, you will live in poverty. These are the facts of life that nobody wants to say.
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Maybe some unforseeable, life changing event will happen to you and you will then understand how it is with some people who are on the street. I am reminded of a story of an older man who did everything right and prepared for retirement and such. Then his long time wife became deathly ill, running up millions of dollars in medical bills before she died. The once proud man was reduced to homelessness and destitute. Emotionaly, mentally, and financially broken and devastated. He walks the streets not knowing what to do and hurting.
Report Post »Some people have tried so hard to make things work but have experienced so much failure, for whatever reason, that they have just given up.
To say the things you posted just tells me that you have been fortunate and are comfortable. To generalize about people the way you have and label them all as lazy or destitute by choice is just wrong and/or ignorant. I have heard all the excuses why people don’t want to help others that are less fortunate. I choose to help others
Lawlcat001
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 2:07pmSo, is it illegal for a mother of 8 to provide a picnic for her children in parks?
Report Post »WhiteFang
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 2:13pmBMMiller1975,
Look at 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 2:18pmAKMIIKEUS
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:12pm
I would think that as Christians we could help out.
If God and Jesus were walking the Earth they would not turn their backs.
Reading some of the comments by the Blazers makes me sick that they call themselves Christians.
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I can’t believe I actually agree with you on something!
First time for everthing I guess.
Or are you just being sarcastic in an effort to bash Christians?
Seems many here don’t agree with the good Samaritan in the Bible, who helped a person he didn’t know and made arrangements for his short term future care as he left the person to go on his way.
The Bible says, ‘God will provide and abundance, (comma), for every good work’. Not for ‘social justice’. For ‘charity’. Seems most folks stop reading when they come to the comma in the sentence.
Report Post »MJDalton
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 2:22pmThis wasn’t about feeding people. It was about bringing attention to the social justice agenda. They are making themselve’s come off as victms by intentionally violating a known DUMB law.
Report Post »SeasonOfReason
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 2:26pm@dogwith
Report Post »It’s summertime in Florida dummy. Not a good time for gardens.
Disc_Coastie
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 2:42pmI used to live in Orlando.. There is a homeless shelter 3 blocks from Lake Eola. Absolutely no need to do it there… this leftist group would be better served if they worked in conjunction with the established shelters and the Salvation Army which is 5 blocks from Lake Eola. These people were just trying to get attention… which really does no good for the homeless and destitute. The ends don’t justify the means… never have, never will ! These good communists need a new forum!
Report Post »the hawk
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 2:44pmNot if you marry well !
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 2:48pmencinom
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:40pm
Funny thing is that these social justice types, protesting war by feeding the hungry are more christ like than most of the good christians condeming their actions
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Social justice and charity are two distinctly different things. You obviously have no idea of the millions of Christian dollars and volunteer work that is done without all the fanfair that progressives use to promote themselves in the process. Movie stars doing a photo shoot at a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving?……..Give me a break!
I see alot more Christian missions, feeding programs, Salvation Armies, church programs and such in cities all over the country than social justice groups that are actually helping people. They are just political bigmouths fishing for tax dollars! Not to mention all the Christian international humanitarian organizations. Of which we donate to that feed starving people, build hospitals and housing. All non-profit, no fanfair. Just because we don‘t ’toot our own horn’ and advertise ourselves in the process, doesn’t mean we are not taking up the slack left from the selfish and selfcentered in the world.
All that is not to say that some ‘Christians’ don’t suffer from the same worldliness and temptations as the rest of the world. Not at all! But I don’t see any evidence that the social justice, “protesters”, and progressives are any better at t
Report Post »GENEPAGLIARI
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 3:51pmRight on both counts, Krenshau.
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 4:47pmUnbelievable. We will be punished for our sins.
Report Post »betterthantv
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 4:51pmThis is tough. But JOE CONSERVATIVE is right on this. Our fate is in our own hands. If we blow it, it’s our own fault.
Report Post »AlmostaCowboy
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 5:37pm@TomFerarri – plus CA (or Santa Monica) said the meals had to have “nutritional information” labels on each meal, had to be stored at 42 degrees. One of the gov’t “do-gooders” said, “The homeless have a right to know what they’re eating, too”, while a guy was dumpster diving right behind her.
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 6:27pm@Amekus
Report Post »Please don’t try to berate anyone for not having a moral value you yourself never possessed, thank you.
GODSAMERICA
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 8:17pm@AKMIIKEUS
Report Post »What a self righteous manure that you are trying to be. Perhaps you should read the Bible and see what Jesus says before you open your mouth and let the cr*p out of it.
jb.kibs
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 9:46pmshould be illegal to give them money or help them in any way shape or form then, it should be illegal to offer them a job. i’ll tell you why… it’s POSSIBLE for them to make a bad decision with the help you gave them.. now you are at fault. why can’t you feed them, because it’s possible that the food could get them sick, or they are allergic, etc? well.. then you can’t help them in ANY way. that’s all there is too it.. they COULD get clothes from a thrift store with the money you gave them, get a job, save up for a car, buy a car, and get in an accident and die. all because you gave them some change… just saying.. why is everyone in politics so jacked up on being stupid? stupid isn’t funny anymore. it died with the 90′s.
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 10:20pmC’mon folks. BREATHING is illegal under stealth Cap and Trade (regulation instead of legislation).
Why are you so surprised? We can’t have people breathing AND eating…
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 11:55pmAKMIKEUS – just out of curiousity, I’ve read a few of your posts on other threads and you keep stating that reading the comments that the other Blazers post make you sick. Why then do you continue to read The Blaze? Also I would like to point out that there were exactly five posts preceding yours, none of which was particularly evil or ranting about the issue.
One thing that you have said repeatedly is that Blaze posters “call themselves Christians”. Are you assuming that every person who posts on the site is a “Christian”? Also, are you assuming that every person who posts on the site and calls themselves a Christian subscribes to your personal definition of how a Christian should act? Those are both major errors on your part.
Report Post »outsidethebox
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 2:21am@Joe have you ever been homeless at anytime in your life? Don‘t be so quick to start talking crap until you’ve actually experienced it yourself. And yes, I was homeless for a while, so I know what it’s REALLY like. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and has all different kind’s of reasons why they became homeless. Live on the streets for 10 years, then tell me if it’s really a choice or not.
Report Post »Mikeyyy
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 2:22amthose denying food to the hungry, the less fortunate, should be put on a Progressive Liberal island, never to return.
may God curse EVERYONE involved, including the arresting officers…im sorry even the police have discretionary powers.
Report Post »one yrs. food ration like Glenn says..
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 6:48am@AMERICIS.. Funny , I only see YOU claiming to be Christian .. I must be missing something..
Report Post »VerySeniorCitizen
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 6:56am@JOECONSERVATIVE
Bullsh/t -time two!!
Report Post »VerySeniorCitizen
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 7:07am@TOMFERRARI
Thank you. I have worked with the homeless – and there but for the grace of god go many of many of us. The homeless and the hungry have been cast aside by the “Christian Right” – so as an Atheist, I will stand by your side to offer them someone to talk to, a shoulder to lean on and a ‘hand-up’. And I too will face the wrath of ANY 12 of my peers.
I‘m wondering how many of the homeless people who are ’walked around and ignored’ have served in our military – and given us the right to do so.
Report Post »jacobstroubles
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 8:55amJoe Conservative:
You need to understand that a whole bunch of people who are homeless have pschological problems that proclude them from operating in a normal 8 to 5 world. And yes, there are some homeless who very well could hold down some type of a job, but pretty much choose not too.
The problem with groups like that mentioned in the article, dont bother to assess who is who, they proceed with their “warm n fuzzy” program which is actually more harmful than helpful. They are ENABLERS! They have a whole lot of people bamboozled into thinking they are doing good things.
A lot of them, themselves suffer from behaviorial issues of always needing to be needed.
See if we fix or greatly reduce the issue of homelessness, then these people would not be able to get the grants for their shelters and projects, and they would be lost. Oh they tell you they would love to see homelessness go away, but they are half truthing you.
homelessness/shelters is big money and creates a job/job industry.
It’s a huge catch 22..
Pretty sick… I know.
And yes, it’s an awesomething to help those who need help, but it’s a more destructive thing to enable those who can be helped by learning to fish!
Report Post »Sparky101
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 9:55amI think you haven‘t changed Joe’s mind completely, but you have given him food for thought. My experience with homeless people is that there are many programs that feed them healthy and nutritious meals, and work with them to get out of their pit. Many of the homeless in our area used to live at the state mental institutions, as they were just enough off normal that they couldn’t hold down normal jobs – just could not do it. Many of the homeless are veterans, perhaps suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, and there are VA hospitals to assist them – but some don’t want that. Some of the current homeless are in fact people who worked their entire lives, but got laid off and can’t find replacement jobs. I would encourage all of you to go talk to some homeless people, after talking to people who care for them first.
AKMIIKEUS who has claimed to be godless, now implies he is a Christian by saying “I would think that as Christians WE could help out.” Not sure I consider him a brother. His usual bent is to bash Christians, and he does in his latest post by saying “Reading some of the comments by the Blazers makes me sick that they call themselves Christians.”
VerySeniorCitizen says “The homeless and the hungry have been cast aside by the “Christian Right” – so as an Atheist, I will stand by your side to offer them someone to, a shoulder to lean on and a ‘hand-up’.” First, BULL. You are an atheist. You don’t know very much about Christians
Report Post »Sparky101
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 10:27amencinom says “Funny thing is that these social justice types, protesting war by feeding the hungry are more christ like than most of the good christians condeming their actions.”
The funniest thing is Encinom thinking he knows more about Christianity than Christians. He is pretty well devoid of Christian education and the Bible, as he proves with most of his posts. He rants, he raves, but he never goes and learns what he is talking about. Like he knows that everyone here is a Christian?
In my area you are not able to donate a used mattress or sofa bed to charity. It could contain lice and bed bugs. If your heart is to give a worthy gift, try donating a brand new mattress, like you would do for your own family. Are these people less worthy than you? Bet encinom would not think of doing that.
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 11:40amNothing was standing in their way. You can do exactly what they did as long as you get the proper permit which is free. They were issued the permits and declined to accept them, meaning they were now violating the law KNOWINGLY AND VOLENTARILY.
This was nothing more than a cheap publicity stunt where they went into it with the intention of getting arrested no matter how much the authorities didn’t want to.
Report Post »fatpatriot
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 12:15pmVegan: old indian word for piss poor hunter
Report Post »Dale
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 2:04pmkrenshau;
I agree with you (at least in part). Firstly, we should help one another: feeding the homeless qualifies. Secondly, no government should restrict one person, or group, from helping others; and no permit should be required. Thirdly, and this is where I may differ with you; I, too, am against progressive social justice agendas – but if they (Food Not Bombs?) truly want to help, they should offer a way for the homeless to provide for themselves: perhaps planting, cultivating and harvesting a community garden.
Report Post »proudkygirl
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 2:20pmThey do not want people to depend on anyone but the goverment this is an outrage it must stop when will everyone say no more of this stupidity! We are allowing it to happen!!
Report Post »imhunderdog
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 8:20pm@Joe Conservative. Sorry to disagree with you but I have worked hard all my life and strived to do what is right. After working hard all my life at age 54, I find myself unemployed, and completely without a source of income. Because of physical issues, I am a liability to an employer. I have been told to apply for government assistance because I am entitled. I refuse to enlist government aid because I have been marching, petitioning, emailing over the issues of too much government. Thru the generocity of friends I am not homeless. But believe me when I say if it were not for them doing what we have been fighting for, I would be.
Report Post »ramburner
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 8:38pmGood move! Kill the job market, starve those who elected YOU and now arrest anyone trying to keep them alive! GREAT government choice, the change we needed! oh, I forgot; the One World Government plan is o kill off 5.5 billion of us, so the animals can have most of the country – after all, we are warming the world and creating food shortages! Yes stupid, when we make alcohol from corn, you know, the “green” technology, we CAUSE world food shortages! Can no one think any more?
Report Post »BJColter Country Music Iconoclast
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 8:57pmBasically these folks were arrested for being Christians. The end has begun for this country. Don’t believe me you LEFTY TROLLS, check this song about our own little antichrist, BHO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqdufoUASMc
Report Post »rochrealtor
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 10:49pmThe misguided group is doing a great service. The back drop of Socialism is hypocritical. They don’t realize the very thing they revolt against, is and will become there own enemy if we let the president give us the hope and change he is afraid to describe to anyone in the United States!
Report Post »Wake up sleeping hypocrites, they use you!
Your only HOPE………, GOD, and Freedom. Read your history you while you still have the opportunity to feed the homeless!