Taking action to S.T.O.P. the criminalization of homelessness

S.T.O.P. and other groups are receiving legal assistance and support from the state and local ACLU, local lawyers and concerned citizens, and legal, political and activist options for challenging the ordinance have been set into motion, such as the federal lawsuit filed in Orlando on Oct. 12. S.T.O.P. has been instrumental in organizing opposition to Orlando's ill-advised and unconstitutional attempt to criminalize homelessness and deprive citizens of equal rights. S.T.O.P. has sent letters to Orlando city officials seeking dialogue on issues of homelessness and has organized four large group food sharings: at Orlando City Hall on Aug. 14, at Lake Eola Park on Sept. 4 and Nov. 24, and at Heritage Square Park on Oct. 9. Starting in March of this year, S.T.O.P. has also been holding Monthly Food Fiestas on the third Sunday of each month, 5 p.m. at Heritage Square Park, 65 E. Central Blvd., in downtown Orlando. (This is in front of the Orlando Regional History Center.) A wide variety of groups share food and other items needed by the homeless at our Food Fiestas.

S.T.O.P. has not asked the City of Orlando for a permit to hold these events, and has no intention of ever doing so. Hungry and homeless people in our community need food and S.T.O.P. will not allow them to be deprived of it, nor will we acquiesce to individuals being treated as second-class citizens because of their socio-economic status and deprived of their right to enjoy public facilities such as parks. Concerned citizens always monitor police conduct at S.T.O.P. events. This is in case Orlando decides to show the ugly side of the "City Beautiful" by trespassing or arresting individuals for the heinous "crime" of sharing food in public spaces.

In addition, the groups that make up S.T.O.P., both secular and religious, have been undeterred by the ordinance or the City's attempts to make the homeless feel unwelcome in downtown Orlando, and have continued their regular sharings in defiance of the City.

S.T.O.P. also organizes homeless rights protests. Our first such protest, held outside Orlando City Hall on Oct. 30, attracted more than 25 participants and was covered by local media and was well-received by the public, many of whom honked their horns to show support. S.T.O.P. will continue organizing protests as homeless individuals in Central Florida stand up for their rights and dignity.

The problem is homelessness, not the homeless

/cartoon by Alex Gentry

S.T.O.P. strongly believes that the problem is homelessness, not homeless individuals. Rather than criminalizing homelessness and the providing of services to the homeless, local governments, civic leaders and concerned citizens should take steps to solve the problem, working in concert with homeless individuals. Ways to do this include:

• Creation of a homeless drop-in center in downtown Orlando that would provide access to telephones, computers, drug and alcohol counseling and 12-step groups, employment referrals, housing referrals, and other services that homeless individuals need to improve the quality of their lives and to get off the street.
• Creation of low-income housing programs. Low-wage jobs and high housing costs combine to make it difficult for many working people in our community to find a truly affordable apartment or home.
• Changing policies and repealing ordinances that hinder the local Coalition for the Homeless (based in Orlando's Parramore neighborhood) from expanding and being better able to provide services to homeless individuals.

Get involved

S.T.O.P. welcomes participation in its activities by any group or individual who opposes the ordinance and policies that criminalize homelessness. Please visit this page regularly for updates on S.T.O.P. meetings and other activities. Join us in working for real solutions to homelessness in Orlando and in opposing the cruel and inhumane anti-homeless feeding ordinance and other measures that criminalize homelessness.

To be notified about food sharings, protests and other events organized by S.T.O.P., please subscribe to our e-mail list. Send your address to: subscribe_me@stop.orlando.org. This is a low-traffic list and your e-mail address will not be shared with any other group.

/cartoon by Alex Gentry