90-Year-Old Man Arrested a Second Time for Feeding the Homeless

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Nov 07, 2014

90-Year-Old Man Arrested a Second Time for Feeding the Homeless

The 90-year-old man who gained international attention after being arrested for feeding homeless people in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, has been arrested a second time for the same “offense.” Arnold Abbott, a homelessness advocate who has feed over 1,400 people through his non-profit, was previously arrested alongside two pastors for feeding the homeless community without providing a portable toilet as well. 

Abbott says that providing a port-a-potty is a financial burden. 

"I am both enthused and humbled," Abbott said about the attention his situation has gleaned in the public eye. “The good news is that there is pressure being put on the city of Fort Lauderdale to do something about a law that is not only unfair, it's repressive. We've heard from every continent. The last I heard was from Kenya and Moscow. I've heard from South America, any number of people from Canada, three newspapers from the United Kingdom."

Public opinion has widely turned against Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler who is a proponent of the city regulations. 

Seiler said, "Mr. Abbott has decided that he doesn't think these individuals should have to have any interaction with government, [but] that they should be fed in the parks. We disagree.” 

After his second arrest Abbott said, "It's our right to feed people. It's our First Amendment right and I believe in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, and we should be allowed to feed our fellow man."

Abbott could face 60 days in jail and a $500 fine for refusing to heed Seiler’s demands. 

Publication date: November 7, 2014



90-Year-Old Man Arrested a Second Time for Feeding the Homeless