South Carolina City Implements Law that Requires a $120 Permit to Feed Homeless People

Gandhi famously noted that:

The greatness of a society and its moral progress can be judged by the way it treats its animals.

I would agree with that, as well as the obvious observation that a society’s greatness can also be judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members. This isn’t to romanticize homelessness or to condemn it. It is merely to note that the homeless are fellow human beings going through their own struggles and difficulties. You may not want to provide them food, but some people do, and there should never be an infringement upon such a basic human right as sharing food with someone who needs it.

Civil rights are often lost in societies by politicians scapegoating unpopular minorities. This happened with jews, gypsies, etc in Nazi Germany and we must be very careful the same does not happen here. One human being should be able to voluntarily give food to another in all cases, without exception. The concept of a permit needed that costs $120 per week is fascist, anti-human and downright evil.

From the Examiner:

Feeding the homeless is about to get harder as a new policy is set to begin this Saturday, Feb. 15, in Columbia, SC. Charities and non-profits well be required to pay a fee and obtain a permit 15 days in advance in order to feed the homeless in parks.

One impacted charity that was interviewed by theFree Times, Food Not Bombs, has been serving food to the homeless in Finlay Park every Sunday for 12 years. The group’s organizer, Judith Turnipseed, noted that the group has an impeccable track record and always tidies up after the meal. But with the new crackdown, Food Not Bombs will have to pay at least $120 per week for the right to feed the homeless.

Since the Columbia City Council approved its exile plan in August, the city has been trying to herd its homeless people to a shelter on the outskirts of town and keep them away from downtown. If charities continue to provide food in downtown parks, the thinking goes, it will allow homeless people to continue to live downtown, rather than being forced to leave.

Remember the famous warning:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out– Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out– Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out– Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me–and there was no one left to speak for me.

Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)

This is how it always starts. It reminds me of the fact that debtors’ prisons are making a huge comeback in the U.S. It’s always easiest to pick on the weakest members of society, which is why we shouldn’t.

Full article here.

In Liberty,
Michael Krieger

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11 thoughts on “South Carolina City Implements Law that Requires a $120 Permit to Feed Homeless People”

  1. Unlike many folks, I’ve actually been homeless for a spell. My ten year old daughter and I lived in a tent in state park for months.

    Neither the state nor local governments were much help; they offered services we didn’t need or didn’t assist us.

    When the winter cold rolled in, we were aided by a number of church groups that provided food, clothing, haircuts and a warm, safe place to sleep overnight. Each night was spent in a different church as they rotated. As I recall they served over fifty men, women and children a night.

    It’s outrageous to me than any government entity would try to tax and profit from those providing for free, what government claims to.

    The Boot-Strap Expat
    http://thebootstrapexpat.com/

    Reply
    • Where is this “camp ground” you are referring to? We are trying to help this weekend and are looking for places other than Finley park due to new laws

  2. Boycott COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA

    When the dollars stop rolling in , the government goes bankrupt, when the politicians are without work , refuse to feed them until they secure a feeding permit.

    Reply
  3. The thing that eats me, is that most of these poor people wouldn`t be homeless in the first place if it were not for the policies of creeps like this, and crap they implement. That is certainly the case in my city, county and state.. I bet if you research, You come to the same conclusions with supporting evidence.

    Reply
  4. The best thing for the homeless is the lifeline program. Its easy to get a free phone if you sign up. As jobs for unemployed sway online, homeless are left int he dark. Everyone gets their employment online(Well not every one but you get the point). Government assistance in now available for broadband highspeed internet usage. The life line program has adapted to the new technological advances of our time. Spread the word you could help out someone in need! Source: http://www.reach-out-wireless.com

    Reply

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