S.T.O.P. Member Groups
Hold Food Sharing
Inside Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando

S.T.O.P. member groups held their latest food sharing inside Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando on Nov. 24 (the day after Thanksgiving)–which allowed the homeless to use that park's picnic area just like anyone else–and they did it without getting a permit.

The groups defied the City of Orlando's "large group feedings" ordinance because of the chronic need for food among Central Florida's homeless population, estimated to number at least 7,500 individuals. They also were using their free speech and free assembly rights to express their opposition to the ordinance, which they feel is inhumane and unconstitutionally discriminates against the homeless, making them into second-class citizens based upon their socio-economic status. The measure (passed in July on a 5-2 vote, with Commissioners Sam Ings and Robert Stuart against) bans groups from sharing food with hungry and homeless people more than twice within a twelve-month period inside more than three dozen downtown parks. (Apparently, some Orlando elected officials think that the homeless only need to eat twice a year!)

Groups sharing food included Orlando Food Not Bombs, Orlando Code Pink Women for Peace, the Young Communist League and the First Vagabonds Church of God along with local businesses that wish to remain anonymous and several individuals.

More than 80 people received much-needed nourishment and the event proceeded without incident–despite a brief interruption by a park ranger and an Orlando police officer who wanted to know the names of the groups involved. The Orlando Sentinel and local television and radio covered the food sharing. Members of the Central Florida Chapter of the ACLU and lawyers from the ACLU/S.T.O.P. legal team were on hand to make sure that city officials and police respected everyone's civil liberties.

Below are some pictures taken at the event.

Pastor Brian Nichols, of the First Vagabonds Church of God (a ministry by the homeless for the homeless), opens the food sharing with a benediction. Nichols, his church, and Orlando Food Not Bombs are plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit against the City of Orlando seeking to have the "large group feedings" ordinance thrown out on constitutional grounds.

A wide variety of food was available at the event.

Orlando Food Not Bombs brought tasty vegan food, including fried plaintains, asparagus, squash and eggplant, along with soup and mashed potatoes.