Sometimes it's hard to believe that in the land of the free that people would actually be committing a crime for giving food to a hungry person in need. But in many jurisdictions, that is the case.
One community group that has come under fire for it, refers to themselves as, Food Not Bombs, and they have been going around and feeding homeless people throughout Florida, despite not having the proper permits to do so.
A number of the volunteers have already been arrested for feeding the homeless, a move which understandably sparked outrage with the public. This isn't the first time either that someone has been arrested in the US for feeding the homeless, a 90 year old man made headlines a few years back when he too was arrested for feeding the homeless.
It's clear that the public overwhelmingly doesn't appear to agree with these restrictions.
Well, the City Council in Tampa, Florida, also now wants things to change and they say that they are now looking to endorse a much more hands-off approach when trying to regulate such efforts. Just recently, the council voted to consider an ordinance that would permit groups to distribute food without having to get any permit or liability insurance; so long as the event is under 50 people.
Having to ask permission first in order to peacefully congregate and exercise your natural rights, no matter the size of the group, is still outrageous. But at least they too see the cruelty in their use of violence against people who are just trying to help other human beings in need. The state, if anything, should be thanking these people for their service to others, not arresting them.
After members of the group Food Not Bombs were arrested for feeding others, even the prosecutor dropped the charges; saying it would be a waste of resources to prosecute people for doing charitable work and that it wouldn't promote justice or fairness. And he's right.
pics:
pixabay
Source:
http://www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/238010660-story
http://www.tbo.com/news/tampa-city-council-wants-to-make-food-not-bombs-feedings-legal-20170224/
http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/04/justice/florida-feeding-homeless-charges/