NOT GUILTY verdict in Homeless Feeding Trial
By John Amato Wednesday Oct 10, 2007 8:36amWhere's the religious right on this one?
It's the first trial of its kind. A man is facing a judge and jury for violating Orlando's ban on feeding the homeless. Eric Montanez, 22, was caught feeding a group in Lake Eola Park earlier this year. The prosecution told Eyewitness News their case rests on video taken of Montanez feeding the homeless, breaking Orlando's feeding ban.
"There are a lot better things for law enforcement to be doing in this town, but this was an outrage," said George Crossley of the ACLU.
And the verdict is in. He's been found innocent:
In the first test of Orlando's controversial ban on feeding groups in public parks, a jury Tuesday found 22 year-old Eric Montanez not guilty of the misdemeanor charge against him. After the verdict, Orange County Judge Steve Jewett praised Montanez for the "important" volunteer work he does feeding the homeless at Lake Eola Park, but cautioned: "you do have to obey the law."
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Who would Jesus Starve?
Was this the first prosecution of a "plate crime?"
The wingnuts want to deny poor people health care, but would they deny them food? I think we know the answer.
These are people, not pigeons. Get a heart!
The judge might wish to read "Letter from Birmingham Jail." Montanez has no moral responsiblility to follow bad law. In fact, he has a moral responsibility not to.
again.... that's why the call it Floriduh
Welcome to a Christian nation......
We are supposed to be feeding Hallibuton, defense contractors, big oil and the right wing war machine. Not homeless Americans.
You know, I have the wierdest image of a man in a park, tossing bread crumbs to crouching homeless. As he's handcuffed and being led off, the policeman is scolding him, telling him he "causes the homeless to depend on humans for food."
It's very wrong, but I snickered.
Patriot Actor @ 7:
You mean the Christian south.
I've heard of "Do not feed the squirrels" and "Do not feed the pigeons," but never "Do not feed the poor, mentally handicapped or homeless." Aren't a large proportion of the homeless veterans? What is Orlando doing to get the homeless off the streets, physical and mental health care, and help getting back on their feet?
You know we have slipped as a community when feeding pigeons is OK but feeding people is not.
I appreciate this guys idealism. I had a similar amount in me when I was 22 but our society tends to slowly beat it out of you as you grow older. They do this by rationalizing away an instinct, to help others, as something that has all kinds of un-intended, un-expected consequences until it sounds perfectly reasonable to throw food away instead of trying to distribute it to the local hungry.
This is an American psychological disorder that needs attention.
MN USA @ 11:
Shipping them to Miami.
Thank goodness!
Everything has been turning a little sour as of late. I'm glad common sense has won out for once.
The religious right cares about fetuses (sp?), not real live people!
You know Disney practically owns Orlando. I wonder if Mickey has any leftovers?
George Crossley? Is this the preacher who was convicted ten years ago for trying to hire somebody to kill his lover's husband?
steve davis @ 5:
Bravo!! You beat me to what I was gonna say!!
Sorry guys, I don't intend to be sarcastic but is this a joke?, since when is a crime feeding the homeless?, what happened to our country?, I know we are a very individualistic bunch (unlike other nations) but if we are going to be told this is prohibited then we're are very very f*** up. Let's not be like the righteous pseudo-christians.
mudshark @ 6:
They have similar laws in LA and other places in the US. The purpose of the law is to make the homeless go somewhere else. It is "exodus by ordinance." It does not work but it sure does make people's lives miserable.
When I was 16 and started working in restaurants, I was mortified to see all the food thrown out at the end of the day. The natural question for somebody who is young and naive is "Why can't you take those to the local shelter?" Of course, they had a perfectly good reason based on money: Liability. Oh and if the employees knew leftovers were free, they could cook too much and take it home.
It's a bunch of crap. There are solutions when the will is there to do something good and reasonable.
John asks: Where's the religious right on this one?
Considering the demographics of the Orlando area, there were probably several religious conservatives on the jury which found Montanez not guilty.
There are similar laws in San Francisco. A group called 'Food Not Bombs' drew complaints during the first Gulf War for their impromptu food handouts.
IIRC, the group tried filing for a permit and were denied.
Letter from Birmingham Jail
Food not Bombs!
http://www.foodnotbombs.net/
Did the judge explain how the good guy should keep up his good work and still obey the IDIOTIC ORDANANCE at the same time?
Seems like he is saying that its okay to jump up, but illegal to come back down....but then, IT IS in FLORIDA, land of the zion folks and other assorted wacko BUSHBOTS, is it not?
Maybe Katy Harris can get Jebby to get the young man sent to Gitmo, because to feed the poor is now aiding the terrists which no doubt makes the "good guy" now an "enemy combatant"!
That's right old gringo. The terrorists get there food from handouts and their money from the sale of drugs!
Remember that Florida is a state primarily ruled by rich, retired plutocrats and hubristic GOP members. They even have park benches equipped with huge barriers to prevent those who might want to lay down from doing so. Tampa has suitcase city, Ft. Lauderdale has people living in bus stops. In Miami, they camp out at the art museum. I suppose starving is better than freezing...?
Curtilingus @ 21:
I worked with a group that back in the 1970's helped get a law passed in Congress which states that is someone gets sick from food given in good faith from a restaraunt or supermarket there can be no liability.
Curtilingus @ 16:
I doubt anybody leaves a crumb behind at the prices he charges for food.
Well, I'm not a Christian, but I'm immediately moved to say, the enforcement of this ordinance is the most un-Christian thing I've heard of this week.
Why don't they make an ordinance requiring the Disney behemoth to build a shelter and cafeteria where the Disney food inventory throw-aways can be prepped and served to the homeless. Actually, all things considered, why isn't Disney doing just that out of the goodness of their pointy little heads?
www.theskinofmyteeth.com
David B.
After the verdict, Orange County Judge Steve Jewett praised Montanez for the “important” volunteer work he does freeing the slaves at Lake Eola Park, but cautioned: “you do have to obey the law.”
Orlando should be ashamed of itself for having that law.
The same ban on feeding the homeless is now in effect in wonderful Palm Beach County where I live. I find these laws to be disgusting and inhumane. Oh and not all of us are floriduhians; I am against this law and I damned sure voted correctly in 2001, it's just to bad that the supreme court annoited King George and all of his madness.
Apparently, he doesn't have to obey that law since, you know, he was found innocent.
Oops I meant 2000, yes a mistake but I still voted correctly!
As Christians (everyone who matters, anyhow), we can't exercise civil disobedience. It is entirely contrary to the teachings of Jesus. He taught that following the law, no matter how stupid it is, is paramount to all else. It takes guts to say Jesus, and it takes guts to starve homeless people.
I hope that man burns in hell for his sins.
Wow, just wow. My first thought was that this had to be Onion material. Along the lines of 'don't feed the animals' signs at the zoo. Wtf? These people are very sick people to make laws banning a human being from trying to help a fellow human being.
Btw, Food not Bombs is a great organization. There is a chapter here in SC where I live. They go to a public park every Sunday to feed massive amounts of homeless people.
SonOfLiberty @ 38:
That would explain his arrest for destroying the market in the temple.
That's excellent xoites, getting a law exempting restaurants from liability passed.
So I guess the boss that told me that was either ill-informed or a liar. But I think a lot of restaurants have the same perception. I'd like to know how many if any supermarkets give out their borderline meat and produce to shelters.
navyswan @ 39:
These laws have been in effect in many cities across the country for over a decade. It is also illegal to ask for help (panhandling) in many places as well.
Same thing happened in Pensacola Florida:
http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071003/...
Curtilingus @ 42:
He was probably just unaware. The law did not pass with a big advertising blitz. :)
SonOfLiberty @ 38:
Chapter and verse, please? If you're going to make a statement like that, I'd like to see some evidence.
Because here I thought Jesus's teachings were about compassion, love and caring for your fellow man above all else. But since I'm not Christian, I guess I and my opinion don't "matter."
Curtilingus @ 42:
I would hazard a guess that occurs only during the yearly (and highly commercially promoted, self congratulatory) food drives. After all, we can't let them starve during winter Holiday shopping season, it might spoil the shopper's appetite for overpriced Chinese crap that ends up in a landfill in 6 months.
xoites defends Constitution @ 43:
I live in Arcata, Northern California. We have a very large homeless presence, probably because there is a lot of compassion (more liberals, fewer evangelicals because the churches do great work here as well). Were so open, I saw a guy yesterday that had a sign out that said "Need money for Pot". That's about as far away from banning pan handling as you can get.
Oh, my God. This makes me think of the "Please Don't Feed the Animals" signs in zoos and parks. What a terrible law!
We had better hope that feeding the homeless isn't illegal, with home foreclosures doubling we just might see a few more un-housed in the near future.
Under this law none of the New Orleans refugees should have been fed, period.
For observant Christians, following the law "love one another" and all it subtexts such as "I was hungry and you fed me" trumps any law of Caesar's. You just have to be willing to suffer whatever you must suffer for it, turning the other cheeck when you do. I'm sure this good man who feeds the homeless will continue to do so. In my hometown, the cops roust the homeless off the streetcorners and we are not supposed to roll down our windows and spare change them, but some folks still do.
I wonder what the trial would've been like if instead of feeding the homeless he was blowing them away with an AK-47?
See The Big Picture @ 46:
I was raised a Catholic. What they never got around to mentioning was Jesus was arrested for throwing the money lenders out of the Temple. If that is not Civil Disobidience i don't know what is. He was Cruxified because he made the local political party nervous about his behavior bringing the wrath of Rome down on his head.
As an aside the whole Romans 13 "Render unto Ceasar what is Ceasar's" was once explained to me (by a Priest) as follows. "Ceasar owned the money. His face was on it. It is wordly and he may have it. He may not have your soul."
Curtilingus @ 51:
Shhh... Don't give them any more ideas...
Not that they haven't already instituted a similar approach.
SonOfLiberty @ 38:
Didn't Jesus set aside the old law for the new? At least, that's what my pork-eating, war-supporting, torture-cheering, neocon "Christian" acquaintances tell me. It doesn't take guts to starve homeless people - it takes a lack of conscience.
WWJD?
WWJNOTD.
It is a vile and inhumane law and and as I was at one time homeless with my mother because she was mentally ill, I know how cruel people can be even to a homeless child. This law and the way we treat OUR FELLOW AMERICANS is disgusting! Not every homeless person is looking for a fix.
Let them eat cake.
If Christianity, which the republicans seem to claim a monopoly on, is the religion of charity and giving, why do things like this pass, and SCHIP fail? It's strange that people that are for charity are against government doing it.
See The Big Picture @ 46:
"And Jesus answering said unto them, 'Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.' And they marvelled at him."
Mark 12:17
This is debatable about how to obey the laws of the State vs. the law of Religion.
Either that or the ancient Israeli's thought he was Capt. Marvel.
xoites defends Constitution @ 54:
Actually, it was the money changers. He overturned their tables and generally created a ruckus. But the bible typically eschews usury as well.
There was this other guy who was distributing fish and bread, but they crucified him.
Nick @ 59:
The "right" uses Christianity as a weapon. I think if you understand that you instantly recognize them as non Christians.
If the homeless need R&B, the Marines could use a few good men and women
sneer sneer....
The same sort of thing is happening now in West Palm Beach, Fla. A group is feeding the homeless in one area of town at a park one night a week. Recently the powers that be decided they didn't want the homeless people gathering there one night a week so they made it illegal. They say they can feed them but not in that area. Trouble is that is the area where the homeless people are. The group is ignoring the law for now. They are being threatened with tickets and fines if they continue. Hopefully this other Florida case will make the town council critters change their minds.
Nick @ 59:
Republicans are the faux Christians the bible warns about. The kings and the money changers, the preachers who fleece the flocks, the ones who kill in God's name, the false prophets, etc.....
Shannon @ 57:
You are very correct. I have seen statistics that stated that as high as 80% of the homeless are mentally ill. We also have something like 250,000 homeless vets on any given day and that might be a conservative estimate. The idea that the majority of homeless people are drug fiends probably comes from the same place where welfare queens driving shiny caddies comes from.
If they need Disco, they can find it in the Navy
sneer sneer...
Dick Cheney @ 64:
I am certain that was a snark, just the same i would like to point out that most homeless men are Veterans.
Where's James Dobson now? Why haven't he and D. James Kennedy of Christian America weighed in on this atrocity?
Well, Dick,
Let us hope you end up homeless and used as target practice BY the Marines.
Why do the Christians hate Jesus?
xoites defends Constitution @ 69:
It was, and I agree. This law is another reason to boycott Orlando.
Dr. Know @ 71:
Lets go dove hunting :)
Dr. Know @ 61:
It is interesting that you brought up usury. My husband is in a geopolitics class and the subject of Islam and usury came up. Apparently, in the ME and in Iraq in particular, usury was still against the law. One of the first things that Bremer did was get rid of usury laws, even though usury is looked down upon in Islam.
Dick Cheney @ 73:
Republican spin: they're phony veterans.
Actual Marcus there are a lot of Christian churches out there offering more support services for the homeless than anyone else. At least that's the case in my community. It seems to be the neo-con evangelicals that would operate under the guise of religion and not help the homeless.
The jury should have absolutely found the defendant guilty and then fined him the absolute minimum (nothing if possible). The concept of civil disobedience and jury nulification both require that the jury display its disgust with the law by following it by minimalizing it to the point of mockery. This is what worked in the Scopes Trial and other cases where the defendant clearly was literally guilty. To find him not guilty is an abuse of due process as much as the charge is trivial.
Hey I have a new city motto...
"Orlando, the hungriest place on earth!"
symphonyofdissent @ 78:
I see your point but i disagree. In this case Civil Disobiedience was practiced by the jury as well.
I wonder if the Just Us Department will appeal?
Curtilingus @ 77:
Definitely the Neocons (although, I don't see much feeding of poor blacks by rich whites, down south. Must be the Neocons and the Born-again, Moral Majority, faux-Christianistas).
I thought about the feds going after him but he can be tried again can he?
Dick Cheney @ 74:
Better yet, (and since I knew you were being snarky), let's go to DC and do some huntin'.
symphonyofdissent @ 78:
How about community service in the form of delivering food to the homeless?
A $50 SUV tax in Orange County would easily keep the service afloat for years.
The problem with feeding feral people is they live to reproduce and then where will we be?!?
CafeenMan @ 85:
But notice you don't get arrested for feeding feral cats. And now look where we are.!.
I think the problem in West Palm Beach is that the richie-rich didn't like looking at the poor and hungry people, so they want them to gather out of their sight. That wasn't the reason they gave but it sure appeared to be the reason.
navyswan @ 75:
I believe that is correct. But they don't live in our blister-packed, dime store economy. How would we all live without title pawns, credit cards, and payday advance shops? I mean, really...
(Are you at Mayport?)
CafeenMan @ 85:
When i was 17 i went to work in a soup kitchen. The first person i had a chance to go in depth with about why he was on the street was a man who had had his own business. He killed his wife and son and daughter in a car accident.
I think the word "feral" would be great if we found these people out in the wilderness. We don't. We find them in our communities. They are the people who have fought our wars for us. They are the people who would be our nieghbors except for something in their lives has occured and except for we live in a broken society that thinks (among other things) that 12 year olds do not need health care.
pissed off patricia @ 87:
It's not just the richie rich. The ordinances are everywhere now. If you want to get psychological about it, I believe it stems from a person's fear that they may become homeless one day, and they don't want to be reminded of it.
blogenfreude @ 3:
Now juxtapose this on the Graeme Frost issue. The wingnuts think because the family has a home, they shouldn't get assistance on health care. See, only the homeless need help.
Then, examine how they would help the Frosts if they *were* homeless. They'd want to arrest people who help them. See how it all works. Compassion!
Isaac @ 31:
Good idea. Main Street USA would look a lot more realistic with a few homeless guys shuffling around.
gex @ 91:
Exactly.
Dr. Know @ 88:
No, I am not in Mayport.
"After the verdict, Orange County Judge Steve Jewett praised Montanez for the “important” volunteer work he does feeding the homeless at Lake Eola Park, but cautioned: “you do have to obey the law.”"
actually, judge jewett no, you don't have