Since 1991, Arnold Abbot has been feeding the homeless in Fort Lauderdale. Every week, on Wednesday, Abbot feeds the less fortunate by the beach.
Last week Fort Lauderdale passed a stupid law that, in essence bans several humanitarian groups from feeding homeless people on the street. It comes with a penalty of up to 60 days in jail.
A few days ago, Arnold Abbot and 2 ministers, were arrested for preparing and the serving a meal to the homeless.
Abbott, who seems like a real badass, sued the city and won in 1999 when it banned him from feeding the homeless on the beach. He told KHON that he's not afraid to go to court again, and said he'll be back on the street with food tomorrow despite the arrest.
Well, Abbot isn't messing around.
He's back out there trying to help people from starving.
On Wednesday, Abbott drew a large crowd of supporters and news cameras as he went about serving those in need in his usual spot on Fort Lauderdale Beach, behind Bahia Mar. The 90-year-old chef has been helping feed the area's homeless through his non-profit group Love Thy Neighbor Fund.
But soon enough, four police officers approached Abbott to lead him away. As they ushered him through the crowd, chants broke out calling out his name. Others yelled out "Shame!"
The Fort Lauderdale officers watched the group feed the homeless for a good 45 minutes before doing anything. But when Abbott began doing an interview with a channel 10 news crew, the officers moved in and escorted Abbott away from the cameras and issued the citation and took his fingerprints.
You can't sanitize your dirty laundry and then not offer up any real solutions. Humanity has an inherent need to protect itself and there are always more good and honest people willing to fight to make things right.
