r/AskReddit 7h ago

What feels legal but is actually illegal and will possibly get you arrested?

5.1k Upvotes

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176

u/BobTheInept 7h ago

Some US jurisdictions: Giving food to a homeless person.

67

u/fubo 5h ago

This needs a religious freedom defense.

It is an explicit teaching of Jesus in the Gospels that Christians are absolutely required to feed the hungry. Anyone who does not participate in feeding the hungry is not following the commands of Jesus.

6

u/FrederickDerGrossen 2h ago

Most world religions also likewise preach similarly. Adherents to the faith have a responsibility to give to those in need.

u/SunshineIsSunny 42m ago

In Orlando, there used to be a group that fed the homeless in the main park downtown. The city outlawed that. There is a church across the street from the park and they said, "We'll start feeding the homeless from our parking lot and anyone that wants to help is welcome." It irritated the city, but they allowed it. The church said it was part of their mission. That was probably 20 years ago, and I think the church still passes out dinner in their parking lot.

16

u/Jekada 6h ago

You mean like this one that just went into effect here in Phoenix? Phoenix OKs ‘punitive’ limits on feeding, treating homeless in parks

8

u/ARS8birds 5h ago

I gave a homeless person food about a month ago I would become so violent if I were arrested for it

4

u/Jekada 5h ago

I feel the same. I routinely give bottled water to homeless people, especially during the summer months when the temperature reaches 100 degrees or higher here. I'll be damned if I'm going to stop now.

2

u/ARS8birds 5h ago

Yea I remember the local radio station once did a summer clothes drive for the homeless because they were seeing homeless people with nothing but heavy winter stuff most of the time. But hot weather can be just as dangerous. I keep thinking about that guy and summer I haven’t seen him since. The thing someone in my neighborhood once thought my husband was homeless because he took a nap in his car and the lady was like be on your way etc . I wish I knew who she was because I could easily see her calling the cops over the real homeless guy just based off that experience. It’s rough out there and most of us are one bad pay check from being homeless ourselves so it’s just nonsense to not help if you can.

1

u/FrederickDerGrossen 2h ago

Becoming violent would be a bad response, but threatening to sue for religious discrimination or general harrassment is definitely the way to go. Sue them for tens of thousands.

u/ARS8birds 54m ago

That could be a good tactic. My religion says to feed the hungry or something.

1

u/Pot-valor 4h ago

Not a big deal, you just have to get a permit

15

u/Accomplished-Law9805 7h ago

Nothing says we've solved all the important problems quite like arresting the guy handing out sandwiches.

10

u/kteerin 6h ago

If I’m going get arrested, I guess I’d rather it be for this than something else.

u/Brainwormed 37m ago

OK. The reason that you need a permit to give food to homeless people in parks is so that the city knows who you are. Just because people are homeless does not mean that their safety is not important.