Federal Court Rules Feeding Homeless People Is Protected Free Speech

There are several different areas in the US where people have been stopped by police for trying to feed the homeless in their area, due to a myriad of restrictions that have been imposed that have sought to prohibit this behavior.

From California to Florida and elsewhere, different charitable organizations and private individuals have been penalized for their efforts in trying to feed those who are going hungry in their community.

The restrictions have angered some critics to the point that they've planned to file lawsuits to challenge the bans. People don't want to have to seek a permit before they can voluntarily contribute to a need of their neighbor who might be going hungry and who could use some help. But defying such rules could ultimately land you behind bars.

Some who are passionate about feeding the poor however, have vowed that they will go to prison before they stop; they won't be told who they can or cannot help.

In one recent federal court decision that was delivered at the end of last month, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals asserted in a ruling that it is an expression of free speech to feed the homeless and as such it is an action that shouldn't be prohibited as it is today in many regions. For some individuals who have been harassed by the state, bothered for their actions of trying to feed others, some have fought back and sued the city. This ruling stems from one of those court battles which was launched by a chapter of the global volunteer movement Food Not Bombs.

“We are very pleased with this ruling, and we look forward to continuing our community organizing in Fort Lauderdale,... We hope we are one step closer to something we've fought for over many years—simply being able to help people without being threatened with arrest by people who should be working with us.” - Nathan Pim, member of Fort Lauderdale Food Not Bombs

No doubt there are many other activities and causes that law enforcement could be funneling their efforts toward, aside from bothering with people who are trying to feed the homeless.

Enforcing the absurd restrictions on this activity has ultimately included arresting and charging a 90 year old man for trying to give out food to hungry people.

Surely, we're better than this and we don't need to be adding more pressure onto an already overpopulated prison population by making criminals where there aren't any.

Now that the 11th Circuit court has reached this decision, they've sent the case back to a lower court to decide if the current restrictions in place on feeding the homeless, violate what they see should be protected rights and free expression.

Rather than fostering an atmosphere of worry and fear for anyone who might think about trying to meet a need of their neighbor, why not promote the idea that sharing food and helping others is a good activity to be engaged in and not one that should be penalized and met with violence.

Pics:
Pixabay

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