Coalition to End the Meal Limit Now!

People Before Profits!

For years the city of Gainesville has been ranked the 5th meanest city in the entire United States because of our treatment of the homeless.  Hundreds and hundreds of homeless people (700 of which are children) are living in our area, and yet only 130 people are allowed to eat each day. This is a result of a disgraceful city ordinance prohibiting places like the St. Francis House from feeding more, despite being willing and able to do so. The meal limit ordinance was set in place primarily in order to serve the interests of the Hampton Inn, Harry’s Downtown, and the McGurns Management Company without regard for the hundreds who must go hungry every day because of it. The repeal of this meal limit remains well within the power of the City Council, however, and it is they who balk at such a simple and obvious task.

Unfortunately the City Council has been asked politely many, many times, but refuses to listen to the community over the interests of a handful of business and land owners.  People like Pat Fitzpatrick have tried over and over again to get the Council to vote to repeal the ordinance.  It's time for the community of Gainesville to band together in a way that it hasn't before on this issue and pressure the Council with harder tactics to overturn the ordinance.  We are the constituents of these politicians, when they won't do what they're requested to do nicely, it's time we make our voices heard.  This is how we ensure that democracy works, despite the wealthy and the powerful.  On October 21^st the Gainesville branch of the ISO organized a rally outside of City Hall and packed the room for citizen's comment, and they still refused to listen.  It's time for bolder action to stand up for those who are hit where it hurts most.  As a proudly progressive city, this is our right and our obligation.  What we achieve here in Gainesville will have a positive impact on cities across the country with similar ordinances.  Repealing this ordinance is very possible and within our reach!

The formation of the Coalition to End the Meal Limit Now! marks the beginning of the end for the unjust city ordinance. Banding together, organizations as well as individuals all over Gainesville will pursue an unrelenting campaign to get this meal limit repealed. As human beings we must insist on the primacy of people before profits. Let there be no mistake: we will not stop until this meal limit is lifted forever.

If you or an organization are interested in getting involved or helping build this campaign, please contact the Coalition to End the Meal Limit Now! at the contact info given below. Our next meeting will be on the Sunday the 9^th of January at 4 p.m. in the Civic Media Center (

433 S. Main St

.).

Contact: (386) 882-8738