Every day the news shows terrible crimes happening around the world. It seems that each day, people are becoming more ruthless. A number of criminals would say they engage into illegal things, for they are unemployed and want to feed their families but of course we know that the end doesn't justify the means. But here is an unusual crime that a 90 year old man did in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Arnold Abbott the head of a group Love Thy Neighbor and together with Rev. Mark Sims, of St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church in Coral Springs, and the Rev. Dwayne Black, pastor of The Sanctuary Church in Fort Lauderdale were arrested for violating the new city ordinance in Florida which is prohibiting the citizens on outdoor feeding. The law states that feeding programs should have permits and should be 50 feet away from residential areas. Plus, they have to provide a portable toilet. They were caught by the police officers giving away free foods to the homeless in Stranahan Park. Abott was charged a $500 fine and 60 days of imprisonment. The bystanders shouted to the police officers “Shame on you!” out of anger.
PHOTO: Homeless advocate Arnold Abbott, 90, of the nonprofit group Love Thy Neighbor Inc., center, is questioned by a Fort Lauderdale police officer, Nov. 5, 2014, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
As for Abbott, this wasn't the first time he was involved in such issue. He sued the city back in 1999 for banning him from feeding the homeless on the beach and he won against it. This time he voiced out that he wasn't afraid to be back in the court and will continue to feed the poor. In an interview with NBC News, Abbott said "These are the poorest of the poor, they have nothing, and they don’t have a roof over their heads. How do you turn them away? I don’t do things to purposefully aggravate the situation. I’m trying to work with the city. Any human has the right to help his fellow man."
Meanwhile the Mayor Jack Seiler said, “I’m not satisfied with having a cycle of homeless in city of Fort Lauderdale. Providing them with a meal and keeping them in that cycle on the street is not productive." Other cities including Los Angeles, Dallas, Phoenix, Seattle, and Philadelphia are considering to have this law as well.
This is such a heartbreaking story. The government may have a point in making their community homeless free, but to jail the few good Samaritans for reaching out to the less fortunate is so unjust. The world needs a lot of people like Abbott. Yes, the government has the right to implement laws to maintain peace and orderliness in the society, but helping the poor is never a crime. The government must focus more on implementing laws that will uplift the welfare of the poor and laws that will punish the corrupt leaders of our nations.
Arnold Abbott the head of a group Love Thy Neighbor and together with Rev. Mark Sims, of St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church in Coral Springs, and the Rev. Dwayne Black, pastor of The Sanctuary Church in Fort Lauderdale were arrested for violating the new city ordinance in Florida which is prohibiting the citizens on outdoor feeding. The law states that feeding programs should have permits and should be 50 feet away from residential areas. Plus, they have to provide a portable toilet. They were caught by the police officers giving away free foods to the homeless in Stranahan Park. Abott was charged a $500 fine and 60 days of imprisonment. The bystanders shouted to the police officers “Shame on you!” out of anger.
As for Abbott, this wasn't the first time he was involved in such issue. He sued the city back in 1999 for banning him from feeding the homeless on the beach and he won against it. This time he voiced out that he wasn't afraid to be back in the court and will continue to feed the poor. In an interview with NBC News, Abbott said "These are the poorest of the poor, they have nothing, and they don’t have a roof over their heads. How do you turn them away? I don’t do things to purposefully aggravate the situation. I’m trying to work with the city. Any human has the right to help his fellow man."
Meanwhile the Mayor Jack Seiler said, “I’m not satisfied with having a cycle of homeless in city of Fort Lauderdale. Providing them with a meal and keeping them in that cycle on the street is not productive." Other cities including Los Angeles, Dallas, Phoenix, Seattle, and Philadelphia are considering to have this law as well.
This is such a heartbreaking story. The government may have a point in making their community homeless free, but to jail the few good Samaritans for reaching out to the less fortunate is so unjust. The world needs a lot of people like Abbott. Yes, the government has the right to implement laws to maintain peace and orderliness in the society, but helping the poor is never a crime. The government must focus more on implementing laws that will uplift the welfare of the poor and laws that will punish the corrupt leaders of our nations.
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