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View Full Version : feeding the homeless in US = jail



Warl0rd
10-10-2007, 09:42
i'm ok with being illegal to feed pigeons, but homeless?! come on...


It's the first trial of its kind. A man is facing a judge and jury for violating Orlando's ban on feeding the homeless. Eric Montanez, 22, was caught feeding a group in Lake Eola Park earlier this year. The prosecution told Eyewitness News their case rests on video taken of Montanez feeding the homeless, breaking Orlando's feeding ban.

"There are a lot better things for law enforcement to be doing in this town, but this was an outrage," said George Crossley of the ACLU.

Montanez and a small group of supporters marched from Lake Eola Park to the Orange County on Monday morning.

"We're ready to take this on," Montanez said.

Montanez and the group he's involved with, Food Not Bombs, returned to Lake Eola just after sunrise to once again violate the ordinance that has him on trial. Food Not Bombs volunteers served breakfast to about 100 Montanez supporters, most of them homeless. They will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner during what they're calling a three-day "ladle fest," not a protest.

"Me personally, I think that's discriminating for one," said Lamont Robinson, a homeless man.

"We're out here trying to survive from day to day life and this gentleman over here is helping us," said Melvin Moore, a homeless man.

In April, Montanez was arrested for violating the city ordinance that bans mass feeding in one area. His attorney will argue that the law is a violation of civil rights and say Montanez did nothing wrong, because every feeding that he participated in was done at a public park.

"The law itself should be illegal. Feeding people should not be criminalized. Being poor should not be criminalized," Montanez said.

The group is hoping to pressure city leaders into axing the ordinance that they believe is a violation of their civil rights, but the city has made no mention of such consideration being in their plans.http://www.wftv.com/news/14289861/detail.html?reddit

Missionary
10-10-2007, 13:05
see all the trouble you caused hoebawt lol.

Hoebawt
10-10-2007, 15:08
I so knew that was coming.....

MAGGIO
10-10-2007, 16:07
I just dont get it...

Crimson Shadow
10-10-2007, 16:16
Honestly that is about the dumbest thing I have ever heard of. Going to jail for trying to feed homeless....pathetic.

ranger2112
10-10-2007, 16:17
it is sickening. How can anyone justify that kind of law?

Mwahahahaha
10-10-2007, 20:21
What's the point of that?

To make an assumption, I would think that the people who made up this law are the same who think that the government should not help poor people, but instead leave these kind of things to private charities. If they're going to ban that as well, what are their true views on how to treat poor people?

Missionary
10-10-2007, 20:26
I so knew that was coming.....

haha, glad i could please.

it is aload of balls though.so what you gotta do is make it seem like the hobo robbed the food off of you or somethin like that :)

Satan666
10-11-2007, 00:11
feeding the homeless is illegal, god they really don't want to help them out.

ranger2112
10-11-2007, 09:56
what about soup kitchens, or those places that give thanksgiving and christmas dinners?? are those illegal there too?

ooga booga
10-11-2007, 12:55
what about soup kitchens, or those places that give thanksgiving and christmas dinners?? are those illegal there too?

I think that's the point there ranger. It is illegal to feed mass groups of people in city parks but is says nothing against soup kitchens. I think when they came up with the law, it was probably to do with too many people BBQing in the parks or something (trying to find a way to justify what the government down there is thinking, lol) I bet they'd rather have the homeless go into the soup kitchens then having them crowd the parks, idk... beats me what their original intentions were. :confused:

Dogma
10-11-2007, 15:05
They are apparently trying to rid their city of the homeless problem. If that is the case, banning feeding won't do it, busses will. Dumb *** politicians

ranger2112
10-11-2007, 15:12
that is like curing cancer with cyanide tablets.

ooga booga
10-11-2007, 15:32
They are apparently trying to rid their city of the homeless problem. If that is the case, banning feeding won't do it, busses will. Dumb *** politicians

And I assume you will be driving one of the buses right? :P Just like you were when you drove a bus and killed poor Steve... :crying:

Dogma
10-11-2007, 18:14
Of course, my comment was tongue in cheek. I was trying to illustrate the stupidity of the ordinance. Sorry, lame attempt at a bad joke.

ranger2112
10-11-2007, 18:21
I understood what u were saying, just making my own reference as well.

Satan666
10-11-2007, 21:40
Has anyone been to a soup kitchen, I can honestly say that KC, MO's is pretty dirty. (although they had some school go to clean it up)

Warl0rd
10-12-2007, 11:20
happy ending
In the first test of Orlando's controversial ban on feeding groups in public parks, a jury Tuesday found 22 year-old Eric Montanez not guilty of the misdemeanor charge against him.

After the verdict, Orange County Judge Steve Jewett praised Montanez for the "important" volunteer work he does feeding the homeless at Lake Eola Park, but cautioned: "you do have to obey the law."

Montanez said he was relieved to have the trial - stemming from his April arrest - behind him, but immediately planned to continue with a three-day "ladle-fest" feeding the homeless.

"I would hope a jury would not convict a person for feeding the homeless," Montanez said. He faced a possible $500 fine and 60 days in jail.

City prosecutor Kimberly Laskoff would not comment after the verdict.

In an e-mail to the media, the Orlando Police Department said it will continue to enforce the ordinance.

"Proper due process was followed in this case and it appears the jury felt the defendant did not violate the City ordinance," according to the e-mail. "That said, the City will continue to enforce this ordinance, as it is a vehicle for the City to balance the needs and safety of residents visiting the park and those who desire to feed in the park."http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-bk-montanez10092007,0,4192156.story?coll=orl-bucs

Satan666
10-12-2007, 13:13
YAY feeding the homeless isn't illegal unless you are causing a problem. Thats a relief.

Missionary
10-12-2007, 14:17
Has anyone been to a soup kitchen, I can honestly say that KC, MO's is pretty dirty. (although they had some school go to clean it up)

proberly cleaner than some of the fast food resturants lol

ooga booga
10-12-2007, 18:52
Has anyone been to a soup kitchen, I can honestly say that KC, MO's is pretty dirty. (although they had some school go to clean it up)

I volunteered at several soup kitchens when doing charity work back in middle school and such... and ours were relatively clean from what I can remember. Maybe the law is in place so that they can use it if someone is disturbing the public or something in park? Idk... glad he wasn't charged with anything though, lol and they picked a wrong time to enforce that law :p

ranger2112
10-13-2007, 17:31
happy endinghttp://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-bk-montanez10092007,0,4192156.story?coll=orl-bucs

I am guessing the ordinance is just not to do it in the park so that families can play and have fun without dealing with the less fortunate members of our society? probably the law is in place because of well-placed pressure amongst the local well to do.

Warl0rd
10-13-2007, 17:36
yeah i don't want my kids to see homeless when i go walk them on the park :P

ranger2112
10-13-2007, 18:11
u walk your kids??? i walk my dog and take my kids to the park.

Warl0rd
10-13-2007, 18:16
yep specially since i don't have any (that i know of) ;)

Hoebawt
10-13-2007, 22:37
Ha thats funny warlord.. how many men honestly say that.... being dead serious... :)

Satan666
10-14-2007, 04:29
I don't have any kids... seriously, wait i don't understand.

Warl0rd
10-14-2007, 12:26
you have to get laid 1st :D

Satan666
10-14-2007, 23:00
okay i think i past that requirement almost 3 years ago...

Missionary
10-15-2007, 05:34
okay i think i past that requirement almost 3 years ago...

he means with a female satan :D

ranger2112
10-15-2007, 10:20
and your hand...hot pie or inflatable dates dont count too :P

Satan666
10-15-2007, 16:15
Well i would classify my GF as a female Satan. She plays video games as much as me and is perfect for me.

Warl0rd
10-16-2007, 07:15
does she have boobs? if she has then your ok :P

Satan666
10-17-2007, 04:20
yeah she does, They are VERY obvious if you see her.

Warl0rd
10-17-2007, 06:06
:drool:

prove it with pics lol

ranger2112
10-17-2007, 10:00
warlord=perv lmao

Satan666
10-17-2007, 17:53
poor poor pathetic man. No i won't, she's mine. :P