Two Pastors and 90-Year-Old Charged for Feeding Homeless

Two church pastors and a 90-year-old man were charged for feeding homeless people in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, under a strict new city ordinance that virtually bans private groups from handing out food.

Despite a looming court date and the threat of being fined or jailed for violating the ordinance, the men said they plan to feed more needy later Wednesday. Continue...

Homeless activist Arnold Abbott, 90, and Christian ministers Dwayne Black of the Sanctuary Church in Fort Lauderdale and Mark Sims of St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church in Coral Springs were handing out meals in a park on Sunday, two days after Fort Lauderdale's ordinance took effect, when police approached them with their sirens flashing, Black said. The three were issued citations and face a $500 fine or 60 days in jail.

"This is not how our government is supposed to work," Black told NBC News. "These are people who need to be fed, and we will be feeding [again] today at 5 o'clock."

Black said the threat of police charging them again won't stop him and Abbott, who runs a non-profit organization called Feed Thy Neighbor, from handing out meals on a public beach Wednesday evening.

"As a Christian, it's pretty clear," he said. "Feed thy sheep. Take care of them."

Fort Lauderdale police said they were aware of Black and Abbott's plans, and said they had clashed with Abbott before.

"This individual was aware of the ordinance. He was warned, and when he violated the ordinance even after being warned is when he was issued the notice to appear," Fort Lauderdale Detective DeAnna Greenlaw 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?" Abbott said.

A court date for the three men has not yet been set.