Feed Homeless, Face Arrest

Food Not Bombs Group Face Harassment

Apr 9, 2007 Sandra Williams

There are some crazy laws that make it illegal to feed homeless people in public places. Food not bombs have been continuing to face arrest by feeding hungry people.

Eric Montanez, 21, from the group Food not bombs, was charged with violating a law against feeding homeless people in Orlando Florida. Although this is the most recent publicity, Food not bombs has a long history of being harassed for giving away food to the homeless and protesting anti-homeless laws. Las Vegas passed a law in July 2006 that prohibits providing meals within city parks that would normally be provided for in a rescue mission or shelter. (57.Bill No.2006-37) Orlando followed suit supporting a similar law last summer that makes it illegal to feed more than 25 people at a time without a permit. The law was passed after receiving complaints from residents and businesses and even though many people opposed it, it was passed with the mayor’s approval. The law is supported by many business owners who seem to feel the homeless are an eyesore and not good for business.

Chapters all over the world have been harassed and told to keep out of sight. They continue to feed the homeless and risk arrest because it is illegal in many states and provinces. In San Francisco alone there have been over 1,000 arrests related to the Food not bombs group protesting anti-homeless policies. Because of police presence, some homeless people are scared off and would rather go hungry than risk being arrested.

Food not bombs began in Cambridge Massachusetts, 1980 and has grown tremendously since. They are all dedicated to obtaining surplus vegetarian food and supplying it to anyone who is hungry publicly without restriction. They were there to help with food and supplies for Asian Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina and vow to continue to be present in future cases of need.

Food not bombs main beliefs and philosophies are:

• No one would go hungry if governments and corporations would spend as much money on feeding people as they do on war.

• They strongly support vegetarian food as it is healthy and non violent.

• There is enough food to feed everyone but much of it goes to waste. They support supplying recycled food which otherwise would get thrown out.

If you’re interested in learning more about the group Food not bombs, supporting them or starting a chapter of your own there is a lot of information on their website. They supply handbooks in English, French, Italian and Spanish. There are also detailed instructions on starting your own group and free flyers you can print and use to advertise and promote. They also sell books, t-shirts, stickers and DVDs.

• For a list of updated Food not bombs chapters, see: Food Not Bombs Chapters

• Reference: Food Not Bombs website

The copyright of the article Feed Homeless, Face Arrest in Poverty/World Development is owned by Sandra Williams. Permission to republish Feed Homeless, Face Arrest in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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