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Protest of Orlando's Homeless Feeding Ordinance Draws Dozens July 26, 2010 -- Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside Orlando's City Hall Monday to protest a city ordinance restricting the serving of food to homeless people in downtown public parks. Approximately 100 people were in attendance, some carrying signs saying “Food by Any Means Necessary” and “Parks Are Not Just for the Privileged.” Others handed out food in defiance of the ordinance. The city has won the latest round in a court battle that’s been going on since 2006, when Orlando’s city council first passed the ordinance. The rule was originally intended to address the concerns of business owners near downtown’s flagship Lake Eola Park. They complained that the homeless people who gathered for weekly food giveaways there were causing trouble in the area. The rule requires a permit to distribute food to groups of 25 or more people in public parks within 2 miles of City Hall. It also restricts each group to 2 such events per year. A federal appeals court in Atlanta recently overturned the ruling of an Orlando judge that struck down the ordinance as unconstitutional. Several Orlando homeless advocacy groups have vowed further legal action. Since the court battle continues, Orlando Police did not stop homeless advocates from distributing sandwiches during the protest. |
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