Homeless feeding program banished from Fort Lauderdale beach By LISA J. HURIASH Sun-Sentinel Web-posted: 11:23 p.m. July 12, 2000 FORT LAUDERDALE -- The struggle to feed the homeless on the public beach took another -- and likely the final -- turn on Wednesday when a circuit judge ruled that homeless advocate Arnold Abbott had to comply with a city request that he move away from the water's edge. Abbott, who has been feeding the homeless for a decade, sued after the city threatened him with arrest for providing the food service. City officials had said it is illegal for someone to perform a social service such as offering medical assistance, food or clothing outdoors. While city officials said they wanted the homeless to use the newly opened Homeless Assistance Center, Abbott has long maintained he needs to provide food to those who need it most. Broward Circuit Judge Estella May Moriarty ruled last month that Abbott is "motivated by a religious belief" to feed the homeless, a motivation that is burdened by the city's permit requirement. The judge ordered the city to stop enforcing the regulation and said Abbott must be allowed to feed on the beach until the city either chose a different site on public property or amended its zoning codes. So the city chose another spot, outside Lockhart Stadium in the 5000 block of Northwest 12th Avenue, about eight miles from the beach. Arnold said the location was unreasonable and unsuccessfully asked the judge on Wednesday afternoon to prohibit the city from enforcing the regulation. On Wednesday evening, Abbott announced to a crowd of about 50 homeless men and women that he would begin his weekly feedings at the stadium next Wednesday, but would file an appeal. "They won't give us an inch," he said of the City Commission. "We call (the stadium feeding site) Siberia." The homeless, also given bags of socks, toothpaste and deodorant, also complained. "There's no way I can get there," said David Mortensen, 38, who said he has been homeless for a year. While Abbott swore to keep up his fight, he also rejoiced that one prominent celebrity came to support his cause. Lee Majors, star of television hits including The Big Valley and The Six Million Dollar Man, stood in the serving line of eight volunteers. Wearing blue jeans, sunglasses and white serving gloves, with a cell phone strapped to his hip and a large cross dangling from his necklace, he served franks and beans. He had told Abbott that he learned of the advocate's plight from newspaper stories, and wanted to be part of the efforts. "You don't like my cooking?" Majors joked with one homeless woman who passed up his dish. Asked why he was there, he said: "I'm here for all my friends." The homeless have a right to be able to eat on the beach, he said. "I live down the street; they don't bother me," he said. "Gentleman (Mayor Jim) Naugle should be out here standing next to me." But city officials said they were delighted with the judge's decision. "I do know the judge verbally denied his request to feed at a place other than what we prescribed as a site," said City Manager Floyd Johnson. "The city was obligated to try to find a site that was suitable for feeding the homeless ... and we did that." Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4557.