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.

I just wanted to take a moment to ask the others who were at the park to share your perspectives.

Personally, the constant racism that is fueled by a mayor- who publicly hates and discriminates against the homeless population- makes my blood boil.

When the marshall singled out Saab, I completely lost my cool. I was concerned that they were going to arrest Saab and that they were targetting him based solely on the color of his skin.

The homeless people later told me that one of the marshalls is especially abusive to the homeless of Las Vegas.

We, as a Food Not Bombs collective and as a community, cannot be intimidated by abusive authorities such as the police, marshalls, and other illigitimate public officials.

I witnessed an amazing situation as it unfolded. And, it seems to me that the power of our numbers was actually intimidating to the marshalls. And that is the reason why I think that no arrests were made.

I can only hope that in the future the police do not arrive at the park in greater force and numbers. However, if they do- we will be prepared.

JOE

Here's another viewpoint in case anyone missed it. Maybe a link could be included to this when it's moved to the center?

At the Park Yesterday

Some comments: Although I do believe that the woman across the street did call the police, I also believe that the marshals took advantage to gather as much information as they could on us.

They have known for some time now what we are doing and when we are doing it. And they have tried to intimidate us before. A little tidbit here is that on many, many occasions, metro and the marshals were performing constant sweeps on the homeless before I arrived or after I left. (On occasion they would circle the park with multiple metro cruisers, marshals, and paddy wagon; ask for ID's from everyone; and then tell them if they weren't gone by the time they got back, they would be arrested.) Obviously they are not afraid of me, however, I believe that at the time they didn't want any non-homeless witnesses. That's what there tactic was at the time.

I think that when word got out that the ACLU was interested in the police harassment, the sweeps stopped. Although they still go to the park each day (that's their job) there has been no full-size sweeps and harassment lately that I know of.

Now, being the pessimistic person that I am, and not the type that trusts any official, they are planning their next move. And some of the folks at the park are also worried about this. Some believe that next time they will storm in with "the troops."

Back to Sunday, after Joe and Saab were finished "discussing" things with the marshals, I told the marshals that they had no right to judge all the folks at the park for the actions of a couple. I told them that no one was cursing while I was there and they informed me that it happened before I arrived.

One homeless man politely asked one marshal, "Is it against the law to curse?" The marshal said, "No, but there is always a possibility of being arrested for disorderly conduct." Something to that effect anyway.

I then told the marshals although they can do anything they want... He interupted me and corrected me by saying they cannot do anything they want. I rephrased my comment. "You can think anyway you want but to pass judgement on 100 people for the actions of one or two is wrong." I also told them that it was unfair to expect one person (Saab or anyone else) to tell every person in the park not to curse or how to behave. At some point?? the marshals must have told the woman she could tell all the people herself. So the woman goes down the line of people yelling and screaming worse than any homeless person with mental illness that I've ever seen. In all honesty, I think the marshals should have arrested her for disturbing the peace.

At another point the marshals told us that they had no problem with us sharing food with the homeless. In fact, they said they agreed it was a wonderful thing what we were doing! (Believe that?)

After the marshals left, I told some of the folks what the marshals had said. I was told that the Marshal Garcia was one of the meanest marshals toward the homeless.

This Garcia (if that is his name) asked me, "Who is the guy with the beard?" I asked him who he meant and pointed to Saab and then I asked, "or my son?" The marshal then asks me, "The excitable one is your son?" I told him that my son was not excitable and that he was passionate. Passionate about issues regarding oppression, racism, etc. So then they got a lesson in social issues.

When they were getting ready to leave, I thanked them for their understanding. By the time the marshals left, I think they were thrilled to get away from us all.

wow!

violent confrontations, no permits, endangering the lives of innocent children at the part... etc., etc., etc.

whew! be glad u all arent in PN. had we done THE EXACT SAME THING, we wuld have been attacked continuosly, while trying to do good and make the world a better place.

aint life grand?

Rick, I truly value your opinion and your thoughts on important issues as I value everyone's ideas and thoughts. That doesn't mean I always agree with you or everyone else, it simply means I can see the value in other people's opinions. But, I'm not exactly sure what your point/opinion is in that last comment. Could you possibly flesh that out for me so I can understand a little about where you're coming from and what your point is? I'm wondering if you didn't mean to post that comment to another article because it doesn't make much sense to me being posted here. But, just because it doesn't make any sense at all to me, that doesn't mean it doesn't make sense to you or others. I guess I'm confused on what your point is, that's all.

On another note, I'm impressed that Food Not Bombs is serving every day. This kind of community-building activity is sure to bring about some positive changes. Rick brings up an interesting point that I picked out of the confusion ... has Food Not Bombs considered applying for and getting a permit to serve food at Circle Park? On yet another note, that's exactly how the Catholic Worker started out. They started by serving what they could, when they could, and have since grown into a well-functioning, organized, and reliable organization that helps thousands of people every week.

I'm just trying to learn and I realize that I'm wrong about these kinds of things all of the time, so I apologize in advance for any confusion or miscommunication. Thanks for your patience.

@()k()e()e()b()a()h,

Food Not Bombs Las Vegas has NOT considered getting any permits to gather in the park and share food.

FNB believes food is a right, not a priviledge. And, nobody should have to ask permission to eat!

People have to get a driver's license to legally drive because driving is considered a priviledge. Should people have to obtain a license from a government or business agency in order to eat lunch with their friends? Hell no!

Also, I would just like to mention, once again, that FNB Las Vegas is in desperate need of new people to volunteer to help "live in the revolution", as we are being the change we seek in society.

So, please visit Circle Park (Maryland Pkwy, just South of Charleston) 7 days a week at 2PM!!!

JOE

I know it's late but if anyone has the ability to donate and bring some bottled water or fruit drinks, today at 2 pm would be a good time.

We haven't heard from one of our loyal contributors in a week.

We are obviously very concerned about her well-being.

But if you would help like to help out- today's the day.

On Sundays we usually share with about 125 friends.

See you there!

Thanks to the folks who stepped up to the plate.

Much appreciated!

hey! i took that picture! gail is cropped out but it'z mine..

letz get some picture credit goin next time FNB!!

haha.. it'z all good. rawk on fnb!

ryan from the catholic worker sent this to me one time, when i set off to start my own food program. now i send it to u guyz:

Everybody can be great.. because anybody can serve. u dont have to have a college degree to serve. u dont have to make yor subject and verb agree to serve. u only need a heart full of grace. a soul generated by love.
mlk, jr.

peace