U.S. Constitution
See other U.S. Constitution Articles
Title: Woman Fined For Feeding The Homeless Tells Police: ‘This Is My Church and This Is How I Pray’
Source:
Counter Current News
URL Source: http://countercurrentnews.com/2015/ ... church-and-this-is-how-i-pray/
Published: Apr 18, 2015
Author: Counter Current News
Post Date: 2015-04-18 21:23:24 by Orwellian Nightmare
Keywords: None
Views: 4773
Comments: 31
Joan Cheever was recently stopped and cited by police for the “crime” of feeding the homeless. But this a San Antonio woman accused police of infringing on her free exercise of religion, which requires her to feed the homeless. Cheever said that she received a citation Tuesday for literally nothing other than feeding the homeless. She now faces a penalty that could reach up to $2,000. But Cheever told the officers who arrived at the scene to ticket her, that she has “a legal right to do this.” Police officer Mike Marrota disagreed. To him, whatever the state says, goes… even if it contradicts the Constitution that he swore to uphold. Cheever told Texas Public Radio, that when Officer Marrota asked what she meant by that statement, she cited the state’s own Religious Freedom and Restoration Law, which reaffirms her Constitutional right to religious liberty. Since her religion tells her that it is an obligation to feed the homeless, citing her for doing so is a violation of the Constitution, as well as the Religious Freedom and Restoration Law. “I have a law degree, I gave them, memorandums of law telling them why they can’t do this,” Cheever explained to Mic. “I don’t believe that the anti-gay use of Religious Freedom and Restoration Law was appropriate,” she explained further. That’s because she claims religions to not require people to not serve people they disagree with. But they do, however, require them to feed the homeless. That’s part of the reason why Cheever started a nonprofit called The Chow Train. “With me and the chow train, I don’t care if you’re gay or straight, Jew Buddhist, Communist, Christian, the only thing we care about is, are you hungry,” she said. The 501(c)(3) organization serves food to San Antonio’s homeless population every Tuesday. But the cops were not moved by the religious act of charity. They “said ‘Ma’am, if you want to pray, go to church.'” She quickly retorted: “I was raised Catholic, I still consider myself Catholic. This is my church and this is how I pray.” The officers were again unmoved. They cited Cheever for serving food without a permit. As it turns out though, she did have a permit that is up to date and valid. That permit says she absolutely can serve food. She showed a copy to the officers. “They didn’t really know what to charge me with,” she added. Officer Marrota didn’t back down. He basically said “tell it to the judge,” saying that she could present this permit in court on June 23.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 18.
#3. To: Orwellian Nightmare (#0)
I just told my girlfriend about this - she said: 1) Her 501(c)(3) organization. 2) Her up to date and valid permit that says she 4) The US Constitution itself. 5) Human compassion. 6) Common sense. 7) The commands of the Christian Bible which many believe
I agree. Unfortunately, she didn't. From another article: "Cheever has a food permit for her mobile truck, but she was cited for transporting and serving the food from a vehicle other than that truck."
I don't recall Jesus ever saying we needed a permit to feed the hungry.
The City of San Antonio did, however.
The City of San Antonio did, however. I'd say that obeying Jesus and not some arbitrary decree is a higher priority for some folks.
If obeying Jesus means distributing food, then surely that must include getting a license. How can you do His will in the City of San Antonio without one?
My take on this that in this case,is that God's Law supersedes the petty and arbitrary licensing rules. She has a permit, but the city decided to make an example out of her.
#24. To: Orwellian Nightmare (#18)
My take on this is that God's Law of feeding the hungry includes getting a license to make that possible. "She has a permit, but the city decided to make an example out of her." Read my post #9.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest"If she has a permit from the government,
I said:
they should leave her alone". "I feel that she has 7 (seven) permits:"
absolutely can serve food.
to be the word of God.
If a Bazooka Joe bubble gum wrapper is needed in addition,
I can certainly supply one, but only if needed.
#9. To: Chuck_Wagon (#3)
"If she has a permit from the government, they should leave her alone".
#13. To: misterwhite (#9)
"Cheever has a food permit for her mobile truck, but she was cited for transporting and serving the food from a vehicle other than that truck."
#15. To: Orwellian Nightmare (#13)
"I don't recall Jesus ever saying we needed a permit to feed the hungry.
#16. To: misterwhite (#15)
"I don't recall Jesus ever saying we needed a permit to feed the hungry.
#17. To: Orwellian Nightmare (#16)
"I'd say that obeying Jesus and not some arbitrary decree is a higher priority for some folks."
#18. To: misterwhite (#17)
How can you do His will in the City of San Antonio without one?
Replies to Comment # 18. "My take on this that in this case,is that God's Law supersedes the petty and arbitrary licensing rules."
End Trace Mode for Comment # 18.
[Home] [Headlines] [Latest Articles] [Latest Comments] [Post] [Mail] [Sign-in] [Setup] [Help] [Register]