NEW

CLAMPDOWN ON FOOD NOT BOMBS IN THE U.S. Banner stolen by Flagstaff Police - Food Not Bombs groups all over the United States told they can share food as long as they don't display banners and literature.

Food Not Bombs groups in Connecticut make historic change in state law.
Changes to a Connecticut food distribution law were approved by the General Assembly as part of the state budget on Friday. They will soon be signed into law by Governor Jodi Rell (R), according to a spokeswoman for the governor. The amendment to the law will allow food cooked in private kitchens to be distributed via charitable organizations such as soup kitchens. Last March, the Middletown chapter of Food Not Bombs, which cooks and shares food with the community, was served a cease and desist order by the Middletown Health Department for distributing food cooked in unlicensed kitchens. The citation led to investigations of other local charitable organizations, the most recent of which was the St. Vincent DePaul soup kitchen.
Dropping a Bomb

ARRESTING FOOD NOT BOMBS IS CENSORSHIP
Officials try to stop Food Not Bombs from sharing food and literature in cities all across the United States.
Food is a right, not a privilege. "Sharing" Food is an unregulated activity
Flagstaff, Arizonia and Lancaster Pennsylvania are the latest chapters to be threatened by government officials. Police shut down the Taos Food Not Bombs meal on July 18, 2009. Northampton Police celebrated the 29th anniversary of Food Not Bombs by ordering our Pioneer Valley valley chapter to stop. Volunteers with Middletown Food Not Bombs anti-war and anti-hunger group, were cited and arrested for distributing food to the public without a license, continue "sharing" food despite the possibility of more citations, a member said. Middletown Food Not Bombs, Hartford Food Not Bombs File First Amendment Lawsuit against City of Middletown, State of Connecticut on June 22, 2009. Taos, New Mexico Food Not Bombs was served with an order to stop on May 14, 2009. This winter our Taos office started getting calls, emails and letters from several state governments ordering Food Not Bombs to stop sharing literature and meals in public.

Police Impound Food Not Bombs Flagstaff Banner, Issue Citation, Silencing Community Free Speech

Police and other government officials in the United States are telling local Food Not Bombs groups that they can share food as long as they don't have a banner or literature. Flagstaff Food Not Bombs joins the list of local chapters told to stop hanging their banner and handing out literature at their meals. FBI or Homeland Security infiltrators are also attempting to get local groups to stop bringing out the banner and literature so "we wont seem to radical or "because feeding the hungry is the most important thing." Infiltrators are also trying to get groups to change their name from Food Not Bombs to "attract more people." When groups stop bringing out literature and the banner they often get less volunteers, donations and the local group end up feeding less people. Every group that changed their name from Food Not Bombs stopped sharing food all together after a few months. Groups outside the U.S. believe the banner and literature is central to the meal and our goal of social change and their governments are not involved in efforts to silence there political expression. There is clearly a nation wide effort to hide the message of "Food Not Bombs" as military contractors and federal authorities are worried the public might see that it would be better if some federal funds were redirected from building bombs to paying for healthcare, education and other things people in the United States might really need.

Police Impound Food Not Bombs Flagstaff Banner, Issue Citation, Silencing Community Free Speech

Food Not Bombs Flagstaff and City of Flagstaff Police Interactions Saturday, October 3, 2009 Interactions begin around 12:45pm Wheeler Park, Downtown Flagstaff (North West Side of Park)

City of Flagstaff Officials include Officer R. Kiener and unidentified Sergeant.

Main interactions are with Russell Crawford, member of the Flagstaff community for almost four years and volunteer with Food Not Bombs Flagstaff.

Food Not Bombs Flagstaff shares vegan and vegetarian food every week with community members in northern Arizona. We share food to call attention to our society's failure to provide food and shelter to each of it's members. We are a non-hierarchail, all volunteer, community organization that opposes poverty, inequality, violence, war, militarism, prejudice, environmental destruction, and all forms of oppression. All Food Not Bombs Flagstaff volunteers believe in the core value that food is a right and not a privilege and we will continue to provide food to our diverse community in northern Arizona.

Summary of Food Not Bombs Flagstaff and City of Flagstaff Police Interactions.

After arriving in the park around 12:10 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2009, Food Not Bombs Flagstaff set up like they have for the past eight months. Because there are no longer picnic tables in Wheeler Park, FNB Flagstaff set up their supplies on the concrete block wall surrounding the park's War Memorial, as they have since the picnic tables disappeared.

Around 12:30pm, members of the community and FNB Flagstaff volunteers noticed Officer R. Kiener approaching from the North East side of the Park (side walk adjacent to W. Birch Ave.) Officer R. Kiener continued westward on the sidewalk and eventually stopped closer to the FNB gathering. Officer R. Kiener proceeded to use her cell phone and stepped behind a tree which was out of sight of community members.

After a few minutes, Officer R. Kiener approached the gathering and directly confronted Russell Crawford with the question of "Who's in charge here," referring to Food Not Bombs Flagstaff. Russell Crawford politely responded that "no one is in charge of Food Not Bombs." Officer R. Kiener continued to ask questions related to the FNB banner that was draped over the concrete block wall. She asked "Who's banner is this," which Russell Crawford responded that "it belongs to no one. "Officer R. Kiener then stated that she had received a complaint and that the banner was in violation of the Flagstaff City Code. Russell Crawford asked "Who made the complaint against Food Not Bombs?" which Officer R. Kiener was unable to answer. Officer R. Kiener claimed that the banner was "affixed to City property" and that it needed to be removed although the FNB supplies were the only things holding the banner from blowing away, for it was a windy day. The text of the banner read, "Food Not Bombs Flagstaff."

With concern, Russell Crawford replied that the banner was essential to Food Not Bombs Flagstaff because it was the main communication tool for the organization to relay their political message to people passing by. Noting the Food Not Bombs Orlando vs. the City of Orlando 2006-2008 United States District Court Case, Russell Crawford explained that FNB Flagstaff is exercising their first amendment rights and that if they were to take down the banner, it essentially would be silencing FNB's political voice and public message. Officer R, Kiener was not interested in hearing about the Orlando Case and was not open to dialogue with community members nor Food Not Bombs volunteers. Russell Crawford continued to state his concerns related to Officers request, expressing that it would be a direct infringement of the groups First Amendment Rights, primarily freedom of speech and peaceful assembly. She stated that "you can talk to my supervisor" in order to discuss this in more depth which was requested by Russell Crawford. After this, Russell Crawford asked for Officer R. Kiener's identification card which she replied "she had none" followed by her stepping away from the group.

Within ten minutes, the shift Sergeant, who never identified himself, arrived in the South parking lot of Wheeler Park and was met by Officer R. Kiener. They briefly talked near the parking lot and approached the group which was gathered around the FNB supplies. Without hesitation, the Sergeant threatened that the banner would be impounded and that citations would be made. Community members and FNB volunteers continued to explain that the banned did not belong to a single person and that it was an important part of the groups political message. A male community member asked the Sergeant what is going to happen because the banner doesn't belong to anyone. The unidentified Sergeant responded that everyone could be cited for violations. Instead of citing everyone, the Sergeant and Officer R. Kiener continued to target Russell Crawford although it was repeated many times by Russell Crawford and others that he was not responsible for the banner.

During the conversation Russell Crawford asked "What would you like us to do Sergeant," trying to find a diplomatic solution to the situation. Unfortunately, the Sergeant did not want to find a civil solution and responded that he was here "to impound the banner and issue citations of the violated City Code." Officer R. Kiener then requested Russell Crawford's State Issued Drivers License and personal information. Russell Crawford provided Officer R. Kiener with his full legal name and birthdate. Officer R. Kiener continued to ask for a State Issued ID and had Russell Crawford stand up. Officer R. Kiener stated that without a physical ID Card, Russell Crawford faced arrest and was to see a judge the next day. Russell Crawford then stated that his ID was in his vehicle. Officer R. Kiener and the unidentified Sergeant escorted Russell Crawford to his near by vehicle followed by five community members and FNB volunteers. After giving Officer R. Kiener his Arizona Drivers License, Russell Crawford continued to state that the banner was not his and that he was confused why he was being solely targeted.

The unidentified Sergeant stated that "It is very nice that your giving away free food. That's very nice and it's ok that you express yourselves. As long as you go through the proper steps to do it." Russell Crawford then asked, "But what if we're denied that," referring to the "proper step" process. The unidentified Sergeant responded that "If your denied it, your denied it." Russell Crawford then stated "But this is a political message," referring to the First Amendment and the unidentified Sergeant said "Ok." Russell Crawford continued to state that the "Sign itself reenforces our message so the sign has to be present to strengthen." The unidentified Sergeant then interrupted with, 'There"s no problem with having the sign with you, it just can't be affixed to any City property and you have to go through the proper steps if you want to have it affixed for any period of time. Right now, you're not going to argue that it isn't affixed. The wind is blowing, it is not coming off " Russell Crawford then responded that "I'm not sure what the legal definition of affixed is." (Note: the legal definition of affixed is to attach something to real estate in a permanent way. The FNB Banner was only draped over the wall with FNB supplies placed on it) For clarification, Russell Crawford then inquired about the citation trying to gain an understanding of the entire situation. The unidentified Sergeant stated that an affixed banner would result in a Class Two Misdemeanor. Russell Crawford responded that 'it completely amazes me that I show up to the park and end up getting a Class Two misdemeanor.

Continuing on, a female community member asked the Sergeant and Officer, "What was your reasoning in talking to him first instead of somebody else? I mean I wasn't here but why did you choose him?"Officer R. Kiener responded, "When I walked up, I asked who was in charge and he said no one was in charge and he was the one scooping out food and giving it to everybody." Russell Crawford directly responded, "For clarification I only scooped out personally my own food. Like I have no idea."Another female community member then stated that 'everyone serves themselves."This was then followed by another female stating "that is pretty general in every Food Not Bombs. There's, I mean the point is that there's no leader, that it's a community. So targeting someone as a leader, that's inaccurate." The unidentified Sergeant respond with "Either way. He's clearly the one taking responsibility for the group by being the one to address us, your the one that requested the Supervisor.' At this point the unidentified Sergeant walks away and does not return. Russell Crawford then states, "Other people were here since the beginning of today, so I mean it's pretty clear what is happening. I"m kinda sorry I even talked to you all," referring to the Flagstaff Police.

At this time, another man started yelling at a community member closer to the FNB supplies stating that he was offended by the FNB message, drawing Officer R. Kiener's attention. Officer R. Kiener then asked the group to give her space because she needed to now deal with this random, inflamed person. The community members and FNB volunteers followed behind Officer R. Kiener towards to man who was speaking loudly about the "disrespectful" FNB message. The unidentified man also stated that he had talked to the Flagstaff Mayor last week and that this type of activity could be filed as a felony offense due to the proximity of the War Memorial. He then gave his personal information and complaints to Officer R. Kiener and told the community members present that the FNB actions where disrespectful. Specifically the man stated, "I drove by, I could, I could see it, I could see it from the street when I drove by with my family." Officer R. Kiener then asked, "Was that today? " the man responded with, 'Just now as I'm driving by, I pulled over," followed by him saying, "This is just very upsetting to see this gotten away with when we're trying to honor our dead. This is part of the monument, the monument goes all the way out to this step. If you want to protest the war please take out a petition to protest the war but don't disrespect our dead. Very very disrespectful. I would like to file a complaint." Officer R. Kiener continued to talk to the man and he then left the scene.

After the man left, Officer R, Kiener talked to Russell Crawford about the initial complaint and stated that the unidentified man 's complaint will be found in the report because FNB was there when he walked up. Officer R. Kiener then stated that she "Told him that she would inlcude his name and informationv in the report. "It's either that or I have to make another seperate report and connect them together." Russell Crawford responded that it seems "baffling" that that would occur because "he just came out of nowhere. Officer R. Kiener then stated that, "If you guys don't have anything else, I do have other calls that I do need to get to. So remove your contents." Russell Crawford responded, "I'm not touching anything personally. I think I'm like already targeted enough."

The FNB supplies were then removed by community members and FNB volunteers and Officer R. Kienar confiscated the FNB Flagstaff banner, stating that "it will be down at the Police Department." Once completed, Officer R. Kiener asked if there were any remaining questions and it was then noticed that the previous unidentified Sergeant was running the license plates of Russell Crawford's vehicle. Officer R. Kiener then walked to the unidentified Sergeant's car and did not return to the community members and FNB volunteers.

This was the end of Flagstaff Police interactions on Saturday, October 3, 2009.

Note: Russell Crawford did not receive any paper work related to the citation or Police identification cards although they were requested. According to Officer R. Kiener, the paper work would be mailed to Russell Crawford's mailing address over the next few weeks and that the issues would be resolved in court.

To contact Food Not Bombs Flagstaff and/or Russell Crawford, please email fnbflagstaff@gmail.com as soon as possible. Thank you for your support and commitment to protect civil liberties.

The Flagstaff City Code can be accessed at http://flagstaff.az. gov/ DocumentView.aspx?DID=199

Food Not Bombs Orlando vs. the City of Orlando 2006-2008 United States District Court Case can be accessed at www.la2w.org/decision.pdf

LEGAL DOCUMENTS
ORDERING FOOD NOT BOMBS TO STOP SHARING MEALS IN NEW MEXICO
MORE
ON THE 2009 CLAMPDOWN AGAINST FOOD NOT BOMBS
Lancaster officals order the local chapter to stop sharing meals and ideas in early September 2009 becuase of the message Food Not Bombs

Pioneer Valley Food Not Bombs intimidated into shutting down by men with guns and badges.

Food Not Bombs meal cut short by cops

Dozens Enjoy Middletown Food Not Bombs Meal, Police Issue 2 Tickets

Middletown Police Ticket Food Not Bombs

Food Not Bombs To Continue 'Sharing' Food Without License - The Hartford Courant

Food Rebellions: 7 Steps to Solving the Food Crisis

A Tsunami of Hunger

Activist group: Police told us to stop

Flagstaff City Hall urges Food Not Bombs to obtain permit

More about Nonviolent Direct Action to defend the right to share free vegan meals in the United States - Albert Einstein Institution

Books on Nonviolent Direct Action - Albert Einstein Institution

MORE CAMPAIGNS Call 1-800-884-1136 of email us at menu@foodnotbombs.net

THE FOOD NOT BOMBS STARTUP KIT
Everything you need to start a local Food Not Bombs group in your community. A full color banner, on copy of the 126 page Food Not Bombs handbook, a DVD, flyers you can reprint and buttons. Everything you need to start a group. THE FOOD NOT BOMBS HANDBOOK
This 126 page book shows you how to cook for 100 people, has detailed information about starting a Food Not Bombs group.

FLYERS AND IMAGES TO MAKE FLYERS
Flyers, graphics, logos, and photos you can use to help you start your Food Not Bombs group. Please use any of these images on posters, flyers or on your new website. POST THIS FLYER ALL OVER TOWN
You can start a Food Not Bombs group in you community buy making copies of this flyer, add your phone number and post it all over town in cafes, bookstores, schools, and store windows.

FOOD NOT BOMBS MATERIALS
It can be helpful to raise money and awareness to have Food Not Bombs buttons, stickers and other materials on your table at events and concerts. Our office provides these materials at half price to Food Not Bombs chapters. You will attract more volunteers and support in your community when people see the Food Not Bombs image all over town. CONTACT A FOOD NOT BOMBS GROUP NEAR YOUBefore you start a group see if one is already active in your community. If you do find a group in your town try work with them. Sometimes the contact information is old and the group has stopped so if you find this has happened then let us know and start a new chapter. You can also invite a Food Not Bombs group near your community to help you get started. When you get your group going please email us the correct contact information and the times, days and locatons of where you share food.

FOOD NOT BOMBS PRESENTATION
One great way to help start a Food Not Bombs group is to invite the co-founder Keith McHenry to speak to your community. Student activity centers at colleges and universities will provide funding for a presentation by Keith, helping with airfare and an honorarium. You can learn more about Keith and listen to his presentations here YOUR LITERATURE AND FOOD TABLEYour Food Not Bombs group can have real impact when you include literature and a banner at every meal. If you set up your table at a location that is busy with a diversity of people at a time when lots of pedestrians walk by you will be able to attract more volunteers and discover new food sourses. You can also meet people who would have never known about the issues we are working on. Many Food Not Bombs tables are considered the place to visit for infromation, community as well as great food. This page shows you how you can have a more effective Food Not Bombs table.

Food Not Bombs
P.O. Box 424, Arroyo Seco, NM 87514 USA
575-776-3880
1-800-884-1136
menu@foodnotbombs. net
www.foodnotbombs.net

| Start a Food Not Bombs | Main Menu | Food Not Bombs Contacts | Donate A Dollar For Peace |

THE FOOD NOT BOMBS STARTUP KIT Everything you need to start a local Food Not Bombs group in your community. A full color banner, on copy of the 126 page Food Not Bombs handbook, a DVD, flyers you can reprint and buttons. Everything you need to start a group.	THE FOOD NOT BOMBS HANDBOOK This 126 page book shows you how to cook for 100 people, has detailed information about starting a Food Not Bombs group.
FLYERS AND IMAGES TO MAKE FLYERS Flyers, graphics, logos, and photos you can use to help you start your Food Not Bombs group. Please use any of these images on posters, flyers or on your new website.	POST THIS FLYER ALL OVER TOWN You can start a Food Not Bombs group in you community buy making copies of this flyer, add your phone number and post it all over town in cafes, bookstores, schools, and store windows.
FOOD NOT BOMBS MATERIALS It can be helpful to raise money and awareness to have Food Not Bombs buttons, stickers and other materials on your table at events and concerts. Our office provides these materials at half price to Food Not Bombs chapters. You will attract more volunteers and support in your community when people see the Food Not Bombs image all over town.	CONTACT A FOOD NOT BOMBS GROUP NEAR YOUBefore you start a group see if one is already active in your community. If you do find a group in your town try work with them. Sometimes the contact information is old and the group has stopped so if you find this has happened then let us know and start a new chapter. You can also invite a Food Not Bombs group near your community to help you get started. When you get your group going please email us the correct contact information and the times, days and locatons of where you share food.
FOOD NOT BOMBS PRESENTATION One great way to help start a Food Not Bombs group is to invite the co-founder Keith McHenry to speak to your community. Student activity centers at colleges and universities will provide funding for a presentation by Keith, helping with airfare and an honorarium. You can learn more about Keith and listen to his presentations here	YOUR LITERATURE AND FOOD TABLEYour Food Not Bombs group can have real impact when you include literature and a banner at every meal. If you set up your table at a location that is busy with a diversity of people at a time when lots of pedestrians walk by you will be able to attract more volunteers and discover new food sourses. You can also meet people who would have never known about the issues we are working on. Many Food Not Bombs tables are considered the place to visit for infromation, community as well as great food. This page shows you how you can have a more effective Food Not Bombs table.