Two Food Not Bombs activists were arrested for sharing food with the homeless Sunday afternoon in downtown Tampa's Massey Park. They were charged with trespass after warning. Another was issued a warning for trespassing and told not to return. It was unclear whether she was banned from Massey Park or all city parks.
...This is the second time in two weeks that FNB activists have been arrested at Massey Park. Last Sunday, the 21st, Mark P. was arrested for trespass after warning. In early February, Balkcom warned FNB activists not to return or face arrest.
...Lieutenant Jill Ramsten told reporters that FNB could get a permit to serve food in the park. However, according to the Special Events Application from City of Tampa's Parks and Rec Dept., "Food and drinks cannot be given away to the public." The permit also requires that groups obtain liability insurance to protect themselves and the city from lawsuits by the homeless.
Lily and Mark both have court dates on April 19th at 8:00 am. Jimmy will appear on the 26th at 8:30 am.
Jimmy plans to return to Massey Park next week.
"How far am I willing to go?" asked Jimmy. "It won't stop until either; one, the cops give up and don't show up anymore; two, they drop the charges and the law is changed; or three, I go to jail permanently. If I'm not in jail, I'm going to be there Sunday."
Tampa Indymedia article
...This is the second time in two weeks that FNB activists have been arrested at Massey Park. Last Sunday, the 21st, Mark P. was arrested for trespass after warning. In early February, Balkcom warned FNB activists not to return or face arrest.
...Lieutenant Jill Ramsten told reporters that FNB could get a permit to serve food in the park. However, according to the Special Events Application from City of Tampa's Parks and Rec Dept., "Food and drinks cannot be given away to the public." The permit also requires that groups obtain liability insurance to protect themselves and the city from lawsuits by the homeless.
Lily and Mark both have court dates on April 19th at 8:00 am. Jimmy will appear on the 26th at 8:30 am.
Jimmy plans to return to Massey Park next week.
"How far am I willing to go?" asked Jimmy. "It won't stop until either; one, the cops give up and don't show up anymore; two, they drop the charges and the law is changed; or three, I go to jail permanently. If I'm not in jail, I'm going to be there Sunday."
From the Food Not Bombs website:
We are calling for all Food Not Bombs members, activists, and concerned citizens to come and protest Monday, April 19th, 8am at the County Courthouse (801 E. Twiggs St) during our members' court hearing. We are contacting all local organizations and regional Food Not Bombs, and major and alternative media. For more information please contact (A)nthony at nogodsnomasters@hotmail.com.
We act…
Because Food is a Right not a privilege!
Because there is enough Food for Everyone!
Because Scarcity is a Lie!
Because Food grows on Trees!
Because Poverty is Violence – unnecessary and unnatural!
Because Capitalism makes food a source of Profit not a source of nutrition!
Because we need Community not Control!
Because we need Gardens not Lawns!
Because we need Homes not Jails!
Because we need
Food not Bombs!!
We act…
Because Food is a Right not a privilege!
Because there is enough Food for Everyone!
Because Scarcity is a Lie!
Because Food grows on Trees!
Because Poverty is Violence – unnecessary and unnatural!
Because Capitalism makes food a source of Profit not a source of nutrition!
Because we need Community not Control!
Because we need Gardens not Lawns!
Because we need Homes not Jails!
Because we need
Food not Bombs!!
Viet Nam vet Serge Vansoi
Homeless in Massey Park
Veterans of the late and post-Vietnam period are three to four times as likely to become homeless as other Americans, according to Robert Rosenheck, director of the Department of Veterans Affairs' Northeast Program Evaluation Center, which monitors government programs for homeless veterans.
"The people who entered the military at that time were people who didn't have good prospects in the civilian economy," he said. Their disadvantages may play a greater role in causing homelessness than anything to do with military service.
WaPo article
"The people who entered the military at that time were people who didn't have good prospects in the civilian economy," he said. Their disadvantages may play a greater role in causing homelessness than anything to do with military service.
Sounds to me like a good description of the current situation.
"You can feed the pigeons but you can't feed the homeless." -- Charles Hinkle, homeless in Massey Park.
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