thedailywhat:

This Seems Kind Of Wrong of the Day: On Wednesday, three members of Orlando Food Not Bombs were arrested in Lake Eola Park. Their crime? Feeding homeless people without a permit.

The local chapter of the nationwide network of collectives recently lost their court battle against the city’s restrictions on “group feedings in public parks.” The ordinance states that public group feedings of 25 people or more require a permit, and that no more than two permits per park may be issued in a given year. Orlando Food Not Bombs fed 40 people without a permit, according to arrest papers.

“They basically carted them off to jail for feeding hungry people,” said spokesman Douglas Coleman. “For them to regulate a time and place for free speech and to share food, that is unacceptable.”

Though the police report states Orlando Food Not Bombs posted a notice on their website calling for members to defy the city ordinance on May 25, it should be noted that they could not legally obtain a permit having been issued two Lake Eola Park permits for May 18 and 23. The group has regularly fed homeless people breakfast on Monday and dinner on Wednesday for the past several years.

[sentinel / thanks tamara!]