Jeff Kunerth | [Orlando] Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted November 25, 2006

Advocates for the homeless returned to Lake Eola Park on Friday, bringing with them enough green beans, turkey, mashed potatoes and pudding cups to feed about 80 street people the day after Thanksgiving.

Six groups, organized loosely under the Stop the Ordinance Partnership, fed homeless people, challenging an Orlando city ordinance designed to move public feedings from city parks.

The ordinance prohibits an organization from feeding more than 25 people without a permit. Local ACLU President George Crossley contended that the groups fell within the ordinance because each of the six groups fed fewer than 25 people.

An Orlando police officer took the names of the organizations and their representatives to determine whether the event violated the ordinance. There were no arrests.

"I understand this is more of a political statement than anything else," OPD Officer Shawn Dunlap told the organizers.

[Orlando] Code Pink [Women for Peace], a women's organization for peace and social justice, provided 150 cupcakes. [Orlando] Food Not Bombs brought mashed potatoes, squash, asparagus, green beans and rice. The American Civil Liberties Union contributed pizza. And the Young Communists League took responsibility for cleanup.

Jeff Kunerth can be reached at 407-420-5392 or jkunerth@orlandosentinel.com.