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Food Not Bombs and Marshalls Face-Off at Circle Park (center)
by FNB LAS VEGAS
Tuesday November 08, 2005 at 03:53 AM
foodnotbombslasvegas@hotmail.com
Sunday, November 6, 2005 Food Not Bombs was having their weekly picnic at Circle Park when two marshalls disrupted the gathering of hungry people.The complaint came from a woman who lives across the street from Circle Park and claims that she does not like people feeding the homeless. She said that "they eat, then drink [beer and/or liquor] and then use profanity" which can be heard by her small children. In reality, most people take long naps immediately after eating such a big meal.
Food Not Bombs is a food rights advocacy group that believes in sharing the excess food of an over-consuption nation with hungry people of all walks of life. Every Sunday at 2PM self-less acts of kindess take place at Circle Park which is located on Maryland Pkwy, just South of Charleston in downtown Las Vegas.
Not only does Food Not Bombs Las Vegas share home-cooked vegetarian and vegan meals to the under-priviledged homeless men, women and children, but the group also gives coats, underwear and socks to the homeless and needy. Between 50 and 100 people are at the weekly picnics.
But, at approximately 2:30PM this past Sunday, the festivities were temporarily disrupted when two marshalls responded to a complaint by a woman who lives across the street from the park.
While Gail and Joe Sacco, accomplished author and journalist Saab Lofton, and several other activists and members of the community were sharing food at the picnic, one of the marshalls singled out Saab Lofton. The officer said, "Can I speak with you for a moment?".
Joe Sacco immediately began to confront the marshall, demanding to know if Lofton was being detained. The marshall repeatedly said "No". However Saab fully cooperated with the request and walked away from the food table to speak with the law enforcement officials.
Sacco stayed at Lofton's side as he called for others to be witnesses. Other people, some homeless and others not, gathered around the marshalls during the confrontation. An inspiring display of solidary took place.
Sacco accused the marshalls of being intimidating and racist, as they opted to question one of the only black persons near the food-serving table. Both claims were denied by the officers. Sacco also called friends from his cell phone and then told the officers "You better be careful how you act. The media will be coming".
Lofton was much more level-headed than Sacco was. He was very respectful towards the marshalls. The officers wanted Lofton to act as a mediator and to communicate the concerns of the woman who called the police to the park.
The complaint came from a woman who lives across the street from Circle Park and claims that she does not like people feeding the homeless. She said that "they eat, then drink [beer and/or liquor] and then use profanity" which can be heard by her small children. In reality, most people take long naps immediately after eating such a big meal.
The marshalls eventually left the park and no arrests were made. They actually stated that they were indifferent about the group having it's weekly picnic. Both marshalls and Las Vegas Metro police (LVMPD) have visited the park during Food Not Bombs events in the past month.
Usually the authorities stay in their vehicles and merely watch the group for 5-10 minutes and then leave. This week was the most heated instance of intimidation and confrontation to date.
Volunteers are always needed to guarantee that the tradition of Food Not Bombs continues in Las Vegas. Those interested in helping are encouraged to join the collective on Sundays at 2PM at Circle Park.
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