FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Fort Lauderdale police officers stood guard outside Mayor Jack Seiler's home on Wednesday, as homeless advocates around the U.S. protested the city's recent ordinance against feeding the homeless in public.
Advocates told Local 10 News that Fort Lauderdale's new ordinance is against God.
"The second commandment in the Bible is, 'Love thy neighbor,' and we're trying to help our neighbors out here," said one advocate.
They also claim the ordinance is against the law.
"No state, county or municipal government shall pass, enforce, or make any law or ordinance which might tend to be discriminatory toward any of its citizens," read protester Fred Wucher.
On Wednesday morning, the Homeless Voice organization chose a personal place to protest the new ordinance -- the home of mayor Jack Seiler in the upscale Coral Ridge neighborhood.
They said this was the location chosen so they could make sure he heard their message loud and clear.
Seiler apparently wasn't home, but he has defended the law in the media. But those outside his home claim the ordinance is only adding to a hunger problem in his city.
"I'm stepping out to protest to continue to be able to help the people in any way we possibly can and feed them -- everybody has to eat," said a woman protesting outside Seiler's home.
Another feeding was held on Fort Lauderdale Beach Wednesday night, led by 91-year-old homeless advocate Arnold Abbott.
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