Feeding Homeless Apparently Illegal in Raleigh, NC (w/MAJOR update at 4:43 PM)

[OneGrassRoot]

Last edited Sun Aug 25, 2013, 03:44 PM - Edit history (3)

Occupy Raleigh just posted this at 4:43:

"We are happy to report food is being distributed to those in need at Moore Square peacefully and without incident at this time."





They tell how we can help at the end of the blog post, with contact info. NC's demise continues...



What Happened

This morning (8/24/13) we showed up at Moore Square at 9:00 a.m., just like we have done virtually every Saturday and Sunday for the last six years. We provide, without cost or obligation, hot coffee and a breakfast sandwich to anyone who wants one. We keep this promise to our community in cooperation with five different large suburban churches that help us with manpower and funding.

Today officers from Raleigh Police Department prevented us from doing our work, for the first time ever. An officer said, quite bluntly, that if we attempted to distribute food, we would be arrested.

Our partner church brought 100 sausage biscuits and large amounts of coffee. We asked the officers for permission to disperse the biscuits to the over 70 people who had lined up, waiting to eat. They said no. I had to face those who were waiting and tell them that I could not feed them, or I would be arrested.

In the past, we have had a good working relationship with the Raleigh Police Department. We knew that we could not use the park itself, as doing so required a permit, but that it was fine if we wanted to set up on the sidewalk, as long as we did not block the sidewalk and cleaned up after ourselves. We have operated, unmolested, under this assumption for the last six years.

http://lovewins.info/2013/08/feeding-homeless-apparently-illegal-in-raleigh-nc/


EDIT TO ADD UPDATE: This group's FB page shows the local news station interviewing people in Moore Square several hours ago, one would assume about this situation. I personally know a lot of people who contacted the media -- and the recommended contacts noted at the blog -- about this. It does seem to be going viral.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151814044045342&set=a.10150703584175342.448130.345936410341&type=1&theater


3:00 PM Sunday news update:

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9218431

Raleigh police spokesman Jim Sughrue told ABC11 that no arrests were made Saturday in connection with the feeding activity.

"People were simply informed the ordinance prohibits the kinds of actions some groups have been engaged in at the park. Work is ongoing with those involved, some of whom are developing alternative sites, etc.," Sughrue said.

The group has asked for help from the public in finding a private building or parking lot downtown that they can use to feed the hungry.

A rally is scheduled for Sunday at 4 p.m. in Moore Square.


Another good link with mayor and city council input, thanks to DUer, rubluetoo:

http://www.candidslice.com/city-council-responds-to-lovewins-ministries-viral-blog-feeding-homeless-apparently-illegal-in-raleigh-nc/