A NINETY-year-old Good Samaritan is facing up to 60-days in jail after he was arrested by police in Florida for serving a meal he had prepared to the homeless.
Arnold Abbot was distributing food to the needy in Fort Lauderdale when he was stopped by cops who said his actions were outlawed by a new local ordinance that bans the sharing of food in public places.
“One of the police officers came over and said ‘Drop that plate right now,’ as if I was carrying a weapon,” Mr Abbott told local TV network KHON2.
Apparently oblivious to the looming public relations disaster Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler had earlier promised to arrest anyone breaking the new ordinance.
“Just because of media attention we don’t stop enforcing the law,” said Mayor Seiler.
Arnold makes hundreds of meals every week for the homeless in Fort Lauderdale’s Sanctuary Church.
“I fully believe that I am my brother’s keeper. Love thy neighbor as thy self,” said the church volunteer.
He added: “These are the poorest of the poor, they have nothing, they don’t have a roof over their heads. How do you turn them away?”
He was arrested and charged along with two church ministers. KHON2 said the three face up to 60 days in jail and a fine of $US500.
Arnold was not put off by the arrest and promised to be back on the streets with food the following day. Good for him.
We can understand that there must be laws and state ordinance etc. However, when feeding the poor and hungry has become a ‘crime’ then perhaps we are left wondering who are the real criminals?
This is the Mayor’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/John-P-Jack-Seiler/157916144266749
This is his email jack.seiler@fortlauderdale.gov
Please contact him & ask him to reconsider this new local ordinance that bans the sharing of food in public places.
Please consider donating to the defense fund set up to help Arnold Abbott in his fight with Ft. Lauderdale’s mayor and city council:
http://www.gofundme.com/ArnoldAbottDefense
Also PLEASE share this story far and wide. Thank you.
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Shocking, and very sad, but good on him for not giving up! Thanks for sharing, and raising the awareness. H xxx
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Tell the police. To cop on this is ridiculous where has their humanity gone, this man should be given a medal not a jail sentenc
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This is the Major’s Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/John-P-Jack-Seiler/157916144266749
This is his email jack.seiler@fortlauderdale.gov
Please contact him & ask him to reconsider this new local ordinance that bans the sharing of food in public places.
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Thank you, we will add this to the post! 🙂
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HONESTLY?????
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Reblogged this on Ta hendene til din kjære – se på dem og hold dem hardt Disse hendene skal du følge, leie og lede. Du skal få føle på varmen fra dem og kjenne en inderlig glede. De skal stryke deg og de skal holde rundt deg – de er ikke skapt for å såre i vrede For du skal ikke alene mer vandre. De skal klemme og kose og aldri klandre De skal skjerme deg for det du ikke selv ser. De skal elske og aldri forakte – bare hjelpe når du ber. Disse hendene skal jobbe for at dere skal få det godt De skal gi – og du skal takke for det du har fått. De skal tvinnes sammen i kjærlighet og være ømme og gode og et tegn på inderlighet Hendene du holder er sterke og unge De skal gjennom mye for din skyld når dagene er tunge De skal stryke og klemme og være gode og fromme De skal ruske i ditt hår og takke når dagen er omme Disse hendene skal følge deg gjennom livet. De skal holde fast ved deg og verne om samlivet De skal være hos deg når alle andre har gått De skal aldri slippe men holde fast og tørke tårer når du har grått. Hendene skal bære din ring med rette Den skal skinne og for alle berette Jeg elsker deg! – kan den bekjenne Det er bare en som har maken til denne En dag er hendene blitt ru og grå Hver fure og rynke forteller om livet som bak dere lå Dere kan minnes den dagen i dag – da et livslangt bånd Ble knyttet Og fra denne dag dere gikk Hånd i hånd..
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Thank you for sharing! 🙂
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Min glede💞💐
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thats ridiculous! x
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Unreal. Of all the things to worry about…sharing food.
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Unbelievable. Only in Florida and well Texas both Right Wing put yourself up by the boot straps states.
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This is what we get in a world run by the Koch brothers !! Shameful !!!
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Why is there a law against feeding the homeless? I don’t understand 😦
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This made me cry.
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😦
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Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
This is absurd!! Had to be Flori-duh!! WTH???
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Reblogged this on Felician Sisters CSSF.
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I saw this on the news in Spain and I am so glad you posted this item. The police are there to serve and protect and I am surprised that not one of the policemen said, “No, I am not arresting them !” and refused to uphold this crazy law. 😦
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This could have been handled much better. If the gathering of people was bothering shop owners, then they should have helped find a solution. Feeding someone in need is not a crime. A 90 year old man feeding people in need for twenty years is not a crime. A veteran feeding people in need is not a crime. Stopping the feeding of people in need is more than a crime – it is a shame.
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Reblogged this on It's Me, Ardyey!.
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