Sat Mar 23, 2024 11:33 pm by globalturbo
November 21, 2014 by Starship Earth: The Big Picture
Lawsuit Over Fort Lauderdale, Florida Arrests for Feeding the Homeless
On Facebook, this went around.
And now we hear there is a lawsuit to stop this ordinance to prevent citizens AND THE CLERGY from feeding the homeless except in designated areas.
Supposedly feeding the hungry causes them to congregate, like a dirty flock of birds, and you just can’t have large groups of hungry, homeless vets and other poor souls gathering where citizens might begin to recognize the growing problem, now can you? That makes it difficult to sweep the issue under the carpet until it’s too late to do anything about it, which is what they want—for the sheep to continue sleeping.
This is what America has come to. The Land of Plenty is no more. The masses don’t seem to realize the growing gap between the poor and the rich—with very little middle class left between them.
Of course on TV the mayor explains that it’s a misconception. A misunderstanding. He frames the law in just such a way that it makes it sound like all they have is a desire to feed the homeless in a safe, sanitary manner. (which prevents too many from congregating in any one place where the problem could be recognized for what it is.)
He also says the elderly man feeding the poor was NOT arrested and taken into custody.
It will be interesting to see what comes of this. ~ BP
See the video here and here.
As the city of Fort Lauderdale contends with international backlash after it began criminally charging ministers and several others with feeding the homeless in public, it now has a major lawsuit on its hands.
The lawsuit filed by prominent local attorneys Bill Scherer and Bruce Rogow alleges that Fort Lauderdale’s controversial anti-homeless feeding ordinance violates both the U.S. Constitution and the Florida Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
“This statute, this law in the city, is unconstitutional,” Scherer told Local 10 News investigative reporter Bob Norman.
“On what grounds is this unconstitutional?” asked Norman.
“The entire constitution that we learn in law school — freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of association, due process, equal protection — I mean, the homeless people are not being treated equally with the rest of the community,” said Scherer.
Scherer, who is representing Episcopal minister Mark Sims, who is one of the first to be charged with feeding the homeless in public, said the city’s claim that it’s about health and safety is simply a cover for the real aim.
“It’s nonsense. It’s trying to restrict the feeding programs so the homeless will not gather (in public), and will go somewhere else so we will not see them,” said Scherer.
A court hearing on the new lawsuit is expected sometime next week.
Thanks to: http://starshipearththebigpicture.com
Lawsuit Over Fort Lauderdale, Florida Arrests for Feeding the Homeless
On Facebook, this went around.
And now we hear there is a lawsuit to stop this ordinance to prevent citizens AND THE CLERGY from feeding the homeless except in designated areas.
Supposedly feeding the hungry causes them to congregate, like a dirty flock of birds, and you just can’t have large groups of hungry, homeless vets and other poor souls gathering where citizens might begin to recognize the growing problem, now can you? That makes it difficult to sweep the issue under the carpet until it’s too late to do anything about it, which is what they want—for the sheep to continue sleeping.
This is what America has come to. The Land of Plenty is no more. The masses don’t seem to realize the growing gap between the poor and the rich—with very little middle class left between them.
Of course on TV the mayor explains that it’s a misconception. A misunderstanding. He frames the law in just such a way that it makes it sound like all they have is a desire to feed the homeless in a safe, sanitary manner. (which prevents too many from congregating in any one place where the problem could be recognized for what it is.)
He also says the elderly man feeding the poor was NOT arrested and taken into custody.
It will be interesting to see what comes of this. ~ BP
See the video here and here.
Lawsuit filed against city of Fort Lauderdale over homeless feeding ordinance
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. –As the city of Fort Lauderdale contends with international backlash after it began criminally charging ministers and several others with feeding the homeless in public, it now has a major lawsuit on its hands.
The lawsuit filed by prominent local attorneys Bill Scherer and Bruce Rogow alleges that Fort Lauderdale’s controversial anti-homeless feeding ordinance violates both the U.S. Constitution and the Florida Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
“This statute, this law in the city, is unconstitutional,” Scherer told Local 10 News investigative reporter Bob Norman.
“On what grounds is this unconstitutional?” asked Norman.
“The entire constitution that we learn in law school — freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of association, due process, equal protection — I mean, the homeless people are not being treated equally with the rest of the community,” said Scherer.
Scherer, who is representing Episcopal minister Mark Sims, who is one of the first to be charged with feeding the homeless in public, said the city’s claim that it’s about health and safety is simply a cover for the real aim.
“It’s nonsense. It’s trying to restrict the feeding programs so the homeless will not gather (in public), and will go somewhere else so we will not see them,” said Scherer.
A court hearing on the new lawsuit is expected sometime next week.
Thanks to: http://starshipearththebigpicture.com
