In 2012, Houston, Texas passed a law that would fine anyone giving food to to more than five people in public. Just recently, a 90-year old man was arrested for trying to feed some homeless people in his city. The homeless are increasingly being treated like lepers, with city ordinances that make helping them punishable with jail time. Churches are even spraying homeless people with freezing cold water when they linger in their alcoves.
Please sign the petition to force the city of Houston to rescind their ban on feeding the homeless, and if you live in a city that practices similar abhorrent behavior toward those who are down on their luck, please write, call, or email your representatives.
“Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter has announced a ban on the feeding of large numbers of homeless and hungry people at sites on and near the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Mayor Nutter is imposing the ban on all outdoor feedings of large numbers of people on city parkland, including Love Park and the Ben Franklin Parkway, where it is not uncommon for outreach groups to offer free food.
Nutter says the feedings lack both sanitary conditions and dignity.”
Or how about this story from Orlando, Florida?