90-Year-Old Arrested for Feeding Homeless Rallies Protesters

The 90-year-old man who has received three criminal citations for defying Fort Lauderdale’s new ban on feeding the homeless in public places has some support behind his efforts to get that law overturned.

About 100 protesters turned out for a rally on Saturday at the city’s federal courthouse, CBS Miami reported. Those protesters are calling for an end to the criminalization of homelessness in America, the station reported.

Arnold Abbott, the elderly spokesman for the cause, was among Saturday’s speakers. Wearing his trademark chef’s uniform, he addressed those gathered.

“We’re all here for a common cause and we shall beat them,” Abbott was quoted by the Sun-Sentinel as saying in his address to the crowd gathered. “I have no fear whatsoever.”

Fort Lauderdale’s new ban has come under fire after three criminal citations were issued to the homeless advocate. Those citations carry a $500 penalty and the potential for up to two months of jail time each.

Abbott, who fought the city’s ban on feeding homeless on Fort Lauderdale Beach back in 1999, has refused to stop providing meals to the homeless. That act earned him two of his three citations. The first criminal citation was issued when Abbott was with two local pastors feeding homeless at a Fort Lauderdale park.

See Also:

• Law that Led to 90-Year-Old’s Arrest Unconstitutional, Lawyers Say
• City That Arrested 90-Year-Old Man 3 Times to Begin Busing Homeless Out
• 3rd Arrest for 90-Year-Old Man Who Feeds Homeless
• 90-Year-Old Florida Man Arrested for Feeding Homeless

Abbott is the founder of Love Thy Neighbor, a local nonprofit that helps the homeless. Before his first citation, Abbott had only handed out a few of the 300 meals he had prepared when police told him to stop or else.

Abbott wrote on his Facebook page that an officer told him to “’Drop that plate immediately.’ As though it were a weapon.”

Attorneys Bill Scherer and Bruce Rogow have filed a suit against the city that alleges the city’s ban violates the U.S. Constitution, along with the Florida Religious Freedom Restoration Act. That suit was filed on behalf of a pastor who received a criminal citation for feeding the homeless. Abbott has also filed a motion asking the courts to uphold the ruling in the 1999 case.

Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler has insisted the city has no intention of stopping feeding programs. It simply wants them moved indoors for safety’s sake and so they can be regulated with permits, the Sun-Sentinel reported.

Abbott has an arraignment on the criminal charges set for Wednesday, the Sun-Sentinel reported.