from Faithful America
NOTE: Pax Christi USA has signed this petition.
For more than two decades, 90-year-old chef Arnold Abbott has led a group of church volunteers in serving trays of hot food to the hungry and homeless in public parks and beaches in Fort Lauderdale.
But a few weeks ago, the city passed a cruel law that outlaws the distribution of food to homeless people in public.
So this past Sunday, when he began serving food, the police showed up and yelled “drop that plate!” They immediately took Abbott into custody and charged him, along with two local pastors.
“I don’t think the city has a right to tell us we can’t feed the homeless,” said one of the pastors. “This is breaking my Christian vows.” When asked what comes next, the pastor simply said: “Continuing to feed them.”
The men are facing hefty fines and up to 60 days in jail, but they’re refusing to back down — they were cited and charged again on Wednesday — so we need to stand with them.
Click here and tell Ft. Lauderdale Mayor: Don’t jail these Christians for feeding the homeless.
We are all deeply shocked here in my family. I suppose feeding the hungry disturbs the minds of the posh people of Fort Luaderdale. In the 21st century it is hard to believe. Perhaps Human Rights Watch could step in. Above all, this information should be widely passed to the press and media.
diana
I am not sure how law works in Florida however, there are loopholes in everything everywhere. Someone please find a way to have Mr. Abbott watch this video, I am quite confident that this may be the “loophole” that will keep his service to the homeless legal! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcA9NF4Ct8I