October 06, 2008
On September 26, 2008 a federal district court judge found that an Orlando law restricting sharing food in public parks violated the rights of two groups who share food with homeless individuals.  The court ruled that Orlando law violated plaintiffs' rights to free speech and to exercise one's religious beliefs under the First Amendment.  Orlando Food Not Bombs and First Vagabonds Church, represented by the ACLU, challenged the ordinance.  NLCHP filed an amicus brief in support of the plaintiffs.

The ordinance at issue required groups sharing food with 25 or more people in public parks to obtain permits and limited groups to only two such food sharing events per year.  Penalties for violating the ordinance included a fine of up to $500 and/or imprisonment up to 60 days.  Earlier this year, a Food Not Bombs member was arrested for violating the ordinance, but ultimately was acquitted.

"This decision is a victory for food providers and homeless persons alike," said Tulin Ozdeger, NLCHP Civil Rights Director.  "Hopefully, cities will reconsider restricting food providers and try to find a better approach to homelessness than just punishing those trying to help."