1.7K views Mar 2009
A news report follows activist Eric Montanez after his arrest for feeding more than 25 homeless people in an Orlando park, amid a disputed city ordinance.
0:00 This man was thrown in jail for trying to help the homeless, and he says he's willing to do it again. 0:06 Eric Montanez has bonded out of jail tonight. He was charged with violating Orlando's new city ordinance that bans feeding homeless people gathered in large groups. 0:15 Channel 9's Christina Arangio just talked with the arrested activist, who says he's going to keep fighting. 0:21 Police say 21-year-old Eric Montanez with the group Food Not Bombs broke the law by feeding more than 25 people as Orlando's ordinance allows here inside Lake Eolas Park Wednesday. 0:32 But Montanez, seen in these photos, is insistent he did nothing wrong. 0:36 It's not against the law to feed, feed people, and as much as they want to criminalize the help of the homelessness. 0:43 Undercover officers worked surveillance and counted how many people Montanez fed, 30. 0:48 Police even took some stew served as evidence. Montanez says the city reversed its position after saying it wouldn't try to enforce the ordinance until the ACLU lawsuit worked its way through the courts. 0:59 This affidavit says Montanez was only arrested because he attempted to conceal his identity and threw his ID. 1:05 I had in my hand, they handcuffed me, and they dragged me off. 1:07 I, I can't hold on to things with handcuffs in my hand. 1:10 There are a lot better things for law enforcement to be doing in this town, uh, but this was an outrage. 1:15 That seems heartless. That's the word, heartless. 1:18 The mayor's office has not responded to our calls on this. Orlando police say they are simply enforcing the laws, but the ACLU claims it's just another example of harassment. 1:28 The ACLU believes the ordinance itself is unconstitutional. Homeless supporters had gotten around the law by having several groups present, with each not feeding more than 25 people. 1:38 Montanez won't be scared off. 1:40 You'll see me out there. 1:41 In Orlando, Christina Arangio, Channel 9 Eyewitness News. 1:44 Montanez faces a misdemeanor charge for feeding a large group in a city-owned park, and according to police, no organization had obtained the required permit for this Wednesday's group feeding. 1:55 We want to know, do you support Orlando's homeless feeding ordinance? 1:58 Go to the 9 wants to know section of WFTV.com and cast. 
2:39
2:50
1:46
5:33
2:52
2:03
1:32
3:10
1:18
3:42
1:23
4:49