Government

Judge Strikes Down Philadelphia Mayor’s Ban on Feeding the Homeless in Public Parks

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutters Ban on Feeding the Homeless Struck Down by a Federal Judge

Mayor Nutter's ban on feeding the homeless has been blocked by a federal judge

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter drew sharp criticism after attempting to ban community organizations from feeding the hungry and homeless in city parks in March.  One charitable group even offered to pay the fines of all those who violated the measure.

While Nutter claimed the ban would “protect the dignity of the homeless, cleanliness of the parks, and eliminate food health concerns,” Reverend Brian Jenkins of Chosen 300 Ministries commented: “These regulations are clearly designated not with the intent of protecting the health and dignity of the homeless, but are designed to tuck the homeless in a corner and pretend that the problem does not exist in our city.”

And now, a federal judge has struck down Nutter’s ban, saying he sees no evidence that a city plan to feed the homeless outside City Hall is any better than the way it’s being done by groups at the current time.

Watch Fox’s report on the matter, including interviews with homeless residents of the city:

Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

Mayor Nutter says he is disappointed in the ruling, maintaining that the charitable giving could spread food-borne illnesses and rob the homeless of their dignity.

Members of Liberti Fairmount Church reportedly serve homeless people like Tere Kaufman sandwiches, potato salad and other goodies a couple times a month, and Kaufman commented: “Dignity! That is ridiculous…There is nothing undignified, the sun shining down and eating outdoors.”

“I was glad I had waited,” she also said, adding that it had been 24 hours since she had eaten.

 

Comments (107)

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  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 11:07pm

    …
    Good call Judge.
    God bless you.

    Report Post »  
    • 1947
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 11:40pm

      The poor Mayor is trying to keep from filing BK

      Report Post »  
    • the_truth_or_not
      Posted on July 15, 2012 at 11:58am

      @ 1947

      Your logic iludes me. How does stopping people from donating time, food, money reduce any deficit spending? I am assuming you ment bankrupcy by BK. If not, please be a little more descriptive.

      Report Post » the_truth_or_not  
    • NancyBee
      Posted on July 15, 2012 at 1:18pm

      You would think common sense would rule everytime…Way to go Judge

      Report Post » NancyBee  
    • rickc34
      Posted on July 15, 2012 at 7:41pm

      Finally a Judge that has some common sense .

      Report Post »  
    • starman70
      Posted on July 15, 2012 at 7:56pm

      Thank GOD there is at least one Federal judge with some common sense. This is a commodity that Mayor Nutter seriously seems to lack.

      I’m sure that Philadelphia has quite a large homeless population. If private citizens wish to donate their time, their money and buy the food to feed the homeless, where is the problem? It is saving the city money, the city is collecting sales taxes on the food being sold and city employees are freed up from taking care of the homeless people.

      Mayou Nutter is a shining example of a confused liberal. The liberal message is that we must be a community. The community must take care of each other. But when the community reaches out, he outlaws it. What is it Mayor, are you embarrassed that the tax money you drag out of your citizens isn’t enough to feed these people? Do you want to use the excuse that you are feeding all those people and must raise taxes? Are you envious of the citizens who are making a difference – - – without you and your cronies sticking their noses into the program?

      Nutter, Nutter, Nutter, Nutty, Nutty, Nutty, Nuttier, Nuttier, Nuttier – - – it all flows together so well. Superlatively descriptive noun and adjectives!

      Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 11:02pm

    …
    A Black Democrat Liberal, who is opposed to feeding the homeless.
    Be careful how you vote, or this type of hypocrite is what you will always get.

    Mayor, people need to eat. Being fed in the park, is much more dignified than starving to death in a cardboard box, in an alley.

    Report Post »  
    • 65Plus
      Posted on July 15, 2012 at 11:30am

      Yes, you bring up a good point. They want absolute control over EVERYTHING. As Mussolini said: “Everything inside the State – nothing outside the State.“ ”Liberal” = slavery. Go Beck go – you’ve got 10 other cities to blast with this nonsense.

      Report Post » 65Plus  
    • MDICEMAN
      Posted on July 15, 2012 at 4:41pm

      Is there any dignity buying groceries with food stamps?

      Report Post »  
    • Taquoshi
      Posted on July 15, 2012 at 11:45pm

      I was just amazed that the news crew tried to connect that half eaten apple being taken by the rats to the homeless outreach. When residents use the parks of their cities, they leave garbage behind. The animals know this. That’s why the animals are there.

      If the city bans the outreaches from distributing food in the park to the homeless, then they should ban ALL food from the park. What difference is there from a family sitting down with grinders, sodas and chips in the park from a group handing out sandwiches, sodas and chips to the homeless in the park? And what about OWS? Didn’t they eat the in the parks? Oh, wait, they weren’t homeless.

      Report Post » Taquoshi  
  • South Philly Boy
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:56pm

    Ha-Ha FN nutter

    Report Post » South Philly Boy  
  • Pray for USA
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:51pm

    Finally, one little bit of good news.

    Report Post »  
  • QuincySmith
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:50pm

    Mayor Nutty’s progressive ban to grow government, and diminish both the individual and freedom.

    Report Post » QuincySmith  
    • KoolAidDrinker
      Posted on July 15, 2012 at 10:38am

      You are right, it’s about growing government and controlling the masses. Dictators around the world use famine to round people into camps to control them with the promise of food.

      The question is why would the mayors of Philly and NYC put restrictions on feeding the hungry?

      I believe it has to do with the November elections. Round them up, put them in shelters, hotels, YMCAs, etc. with the promise of food and shelter. By rounding them up now, you can establish residency and make them totally and legally eligible to cast a ballot. And in the end, grow government by securing BHO’s re-election.

      Report Post » KoolAidDrinker  
    • 65Plus
      Posted on July 15, 2012 at 11:31am

      It’s called…”slavery.” Goes way back.

      Report Post » 65Plus  
  • RamonPreston
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:28pm

    Glad that there is at least ONE judge with a little common sense and compassion.

    Report Post » RamonPreston  
    • 1947
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 11:38pm

      Judge is looking for another term in office. He”s reading Obama’s book or Acorn called him

      Report Post »  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:28pm

    I‘d like to see Nutter’r than he11 go face to face with Mother Teresa and tell Her She can’t feed the poor. (Of course She‘s gone now but I’m talking as if She was alive).

    I spent 3 Christmas’s (2 weeks each) with Mother Teresa’s Sisters feeding the homeless in Central Los Angeles. You don’t mess with those Sisters.

    Report Post » The-Monk  
    • 65Plus
      Posted on July 15, 2012 at 11:32am

      Bless you for what you have done and what you have shared with us all.

      Report Post » 65Plus  
  • bankerpapaw
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:16pm

    Looks like it wouldn’t hurt Nutt-Butt to miss a meal or two. Typical heartless Democrat.

    Report Post »  
  • lassiegirldawn
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:16pm

    The UN has dubbed these people useless eaters and are just taking up air space. Ya, some of these people can work and choose not to, but there are some unfortunate souls out there that have problems and cannot work, what do we do with them, let them starve to death because we do not want to address there is a problem that caring humans and not the government can address.

    Report Post »  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:40pm

      When you go looking for a job needing a haircut and a shave, your clothes show that you sleep in them and all your belongings are in a grocery cart…sorry, no one is going to hire you. Start by giving them a place to live, a haircut, shower, shave and some descent clothes before you condemn them. Many of them might surprise you and get a respectable job. Not all will.

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:14pm

    Not only does Mayor Nutter look like Van Jones,,,, he acts like him too.

    Can‘t get much Nutter’r than these two.

    Report Post » The-Monk  
    • lwillis59
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:39pm

      I was just thinking the same thing… I was wondering if they might be brothers.. lol

      Report Post »  
    • 65Plus
      Posted on July 15, 2012 at 11:33am

      Isn’t it amazing what a little make-up can do? Van Jones at TWO “jobs.”

      Report Post » 65Plus  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:11pm

    And the Judge says……

    Have a Nutter look at your nutty ban. It’s wrong to think only Government can feed the poor.

    Mayor Nutter; let the community give the poor a Nutter peanut butter anti-Nutter sandwich.

    Damn progressives!

    Report Post » The-Monk  
  • Gary S
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:08pm

    Nagan in New Orleans and Numb-Nutter in Philly. Don’tcha just love when a demo screws a town.

    Report Post »  
  • bikerdogred1
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:05pm

    Give the bums the judge’s address and tell them they can go to his house for a home cook meal and that they can use his phone to.I heard NJ is sending all there homeless over to Phila.for a free meal,and if obama,is elected again we all may be in the park for a meal.

    Report Post »  
  • AnAmerican111
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:02pm

    How about!……………….let’s make them work for food………….
    Wow! there’s an idea!

    Report Post »  
  • John 1776
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 9:56pm

    To H with those charities! Only the GOVERNMENT knows how to feed homeless people. People must learn that they MUST depend on the government for their food, water, health, and air to breath. These charities might lead people astray and they the peons might get confused and think there are other alternatives beside the GOVERNMENT!!!

    Report Post » John 1776  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:26pm

      You want the GOVERNMENT to control your life? You will get it. We have too much GOVERNMENT in our lives, not too little.

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
    • Want our country back
      Posted on July 15, 2012 at 8:01am

      Nutter is well named…. how stupid are these people. MADONNA ate from NY dumpsters in her early days…… thank God there are people who’s mission it is to take care of the helpless & the hopeless.

      Report Post » Want our country back  
    • Dissident_Agressor
      Posted on July 15, 2012 at 8:27pm

      Im guessing that was sarcasm

      Report Post » Dissident_Agressor  
  • MAX0O1
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 9:53pm

    YOU KNOW I CANNOT BELIEVE NO-O-O ONE has yet to put together this no feeding the poor
    and homeless rules all over this country. If these people cannot turn to charities for relief.it forces
    them to turn to the government. Thus more subversion to grant more dependency thus more
    more big government power. Somebody have the brains to hook this and commie mobster
    Obamas newest step to drop work requirments for welfare together. How about it FOX and
    anyone else out there?

    Report Post »  
    • aggiebrewer
      Posted on July 15, 2012 at 5:56pm

      Max001
      this theory was mentioned about a year ago on Beck’s radio show.

      But good for you for thinking like a big govt liberal.
      We must see where they are headed and beat them to the punch.

      Report Post »  
  • rickbob
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 9:53pm

    How many calories are there in a serving or two of dignity??

    Report Post » rickbob  
  • DevilsAdvocate
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 9:45pm

    Yep, dem home bless peebles is so dignified in day natty threads and such. Day on yahts an such sipping shampain. Eyes sertainlee dont‘s doo setch stuff at home an eye gottsa home so’s day mus be de home bless. Man, somb times dat stuff makes me wans to be home bless, 2. Is dat Romney boy home bless? Eye sees pitchers of him on yahts. Eye wans 2 be like dat.

    Report Post »  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 9:44pm

    How, in this rich land, can someone go without food for 24 hours? I know many are without a job, homeless and in this country that is wrong. The policies of our government have led to this, when a small fish is more important than watering farmland, and the epa closes business that produce light and heat, and taxes and “fees” are so bad no business can grow, we are living in truely perilous times. My heart aches for my country. Citizns need to do more, or we will become what we do not want to be, taken over by our own government. God help us all, if we need to fight back by feeding people in our towns, so be it, we need to act now.

    Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 9:59pm

      Yo, Jenny. AND by changing the dysfunctional , Far Left / Oh Yes We Can’t Make A Capitalist System Work – dysfunctional Administration in the White House. Here’s praying…and hoping…

      Report Post »  
  • 666Sucks
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 9:30pm

    Be ready! This is where the communist assassins will come out with poison food for the homeless dressed in Tea Party ragalia, and start their culling of the useless “in their eyes” people. The left will lie, cheat, steal, bully, and murder to achieve their communist agenda!

    Report Post » 666Sucks  
    • kickagrandma
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 9:36pm

      You are right. We must be on our toes, alert, with phones, cameras, whatever it takes, AMERICANS. We have got to have our backs.
      PRAY ON, AMERICA.
      GOD IS COUNTING ON US!
      And, we are counting on GOD!

      Report Post »  
  • MAMMY_NUNN
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 9:27pm

    Score one for the good guys send this Heathen packing..

    Report Post »  
  • IOWAGIR
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 9:25pm

    Thank goodness! That is insane that anyone would oppose such good charitable work. Who’s to say that the apple even came from feeding the homeless. People that have plenty to eat waste more food than someone who is homeless and hungry. They go thru trash for food, not the other way around.

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 9:24pm

    One more move by the Progressives has been, for now, countered. Though I now wonder if Holder is preparing to slam down on the judge and those feeding the homeless on a Federal level for some kind of trumped up charges. Glad to see a justice stand for the right of the Constitution, and not give into pressure by the Progressives and the administration.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • spirited
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 9:19pm

    Nutter
    and Jealous

    >toast

    Report Post » spirited  
  • Magyar
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 9:17pm

    I think Nutter’s intentions were far more sinister than stated—push the homeless onto the government dole, thus increasing dependence and advance the Socialist/Marxist agenda.

    Who in their right mind would prevent charities from feeding the homeless without some OTHER agenda?

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 9:26pm

      There was a tv program on cable called “Babylon 5” several years ago that, on the earth government, had been overthrown from within by a movement that reminds me of Soros and the Progressives here at home. Mind you, it is only partly similair, but one portion, when people asked the government represenative about taking care of the homeless, she was portrayed as saying “there are no homeless or jobless, they can get jobs, starve, or be dealt with (exterminated) as the need arises.”

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 9:29pm

      MAGYAR, I’d say Mayor Doomberg, but he does not meet the standards laid out in your question. He can’t be in his right mind.
      Somebody needs to take Doomberg through the courts system.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • Magyar
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 9:43pm

      @Snowleopard–

      You may be absolutely correct! Eugenics is certainly part of the ‘plan’….If they’re not acknowleged, they can easily be ‘disposed of’ and no one would ever miss the invisible problem.

      Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:21pm

      Hi Rjj,

      I think the difference between Nutter’r than he11 and Bloomperv is that Bloomperv has a bunch of cr@p on his Judges and Nutter’s Judges have a lot of cr@p on him.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
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