Feeding the poor is an act of charity that is honored in any society. Every major religion would preach and advocate such an action.

But it seems that the local government and police force in Fort Lauderdale, Florida would beg to differ. Last Sunday, police charged 90-year-old Arnold Abbot, for feeding the homeless. Something which he has done for the past twenty years. Also charged are two pastors, Mark Sims and Dwayne Black. The three are cited for violating a new ordinance made by the city which bans public food sharing.

If proven guilty, they may face up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

“One of the police officers said, ‘Drop that plate right now,’ as if I were carrying a weapon,” Abbot said.

The ordinance just came into effect last Friday but as it turns out, this isn’t the first time that the city has gone after Abbot for feeding the homeless. In 1999, authorities in Fort Lauderdale tried to prevent him from doing his act of charity. Abbot responded with a lawsuit, which he won. He plans on doing the same thing again.

“I’m going to have to go to court again and sue the city of Fort Lauderdale — a beautiful city,” he said “These are the poorest of the poor, they have nothing, they don’t have a roof over their heads. How do you turn them away?”

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