User:Ayden3a/sandbox

Funding

As Food Not Bombs is not a 501(c)3 charity and operates as a group of collectives, the organization is able to work while being politicized. They do not rely on grants and monetary contributions and instead fund their work by handing out political literature.

Legal issues

Food Not Bombs has had some legal concerns as a result of their food sharing practices. Some members participate in dumpster diving for expired food items thrown out by grocery and food stores, which they then distribute to needy and impoverished people. Some cities have passed laws that protect property ownership for things set out for garbage collection, putting some members at risk of arrest and fines. Food Not Bombs also participates in group feedings in city parks and other public areas, which also also led to cities enacting bans against this practice, as seen in the 2011 Florida feeding bans.

Connection to Political Economy

Food Not Bombs was founded among the fallout of a protest in Boston, New Hampshire in the year 1980. After a protest aimed at a nuclear plant being built north of Boston concluded, a group was quickly formed around the idea of protecting and feeding protesters on strike. These founding members were Jo Swanson, Mira Brown, Susan Eaton, Brian Feigenbaum, C.T. Lawrence Butler, Jessie Constable, Amy Rothstien and Keith McHenry. This idea was soon put into action as the founding members would share their first official meal outside of the Federal Reserve Bank on March 26th, 1981, where they were once again protesting the investment of capital interests in nuclear power. Even from its conception, Foods not Bombs’ actions show the group’s interest in political-economic affairs as they continue to support and aid political activists.

Food Not Bombs activism are able to provide influence in the political economy. Food Not Bombs anti-war stance advocates for the government budget to spend less on new military equipment and conflicts. By providing an alternative to capitalist structures, the organization advocates for anti-capitalist agenda, such as mutual aid.

Role in the Economy

Food Not Bombs fills a role in the economy similar to charities. However, unlike 501(c)3 charities, Food Not Bombs is able to work while being politicized. Since they do not rely on grants and monetary contributions, they are able to receive a profit by handing out political literature. Due to the ability to have political standing, Food Not Bombs is able to advocate for certain political agendas, such as in its anti-war roots. The group's practice of providing meals in public spaces can be seen as political, by raising awareness “that hunger is a daily problem that people must deal with.” Food Not Bombs also serves a role in political protesting, such as its involvement with Anti-Wall Street protests. During the protests they provided and prepared food for the protesters while also accepting donations, and were able to give their surplus to homeless people. Food Not Bombs also fills a role in the political economy like many other nonprofits through disaster relief. Food Not Bombs volunteers were among the first to provide food during 9/11, Hurricane Katrina and during an earthquake in San Francisco in 1989.

Legal Concerns

In Anarchist Text

The food sharing practices of Food Not Bombs is part of a larger network of Anarchist political action, involving other practices such as dumpster diving. The goal of both of these practices is to give waste utility and give rich excesses to the poor. Food Not Bombs accomplishes this through it’s acquisition of food, typically recently expired food stores can no longer sell. Dumpster divers go further as to physically search dumpsters for the items they want. By creating value out of something discarded, these activities have been able to play a role in the political economy. Leading cities to pass new laws protecting property ownership for things that have been set out for garbage collection, this organization has been able to build national fame.

Case Studies

Food Not Bombs' food sharing is often illegal. For example, in 2011 the United States Court of Appeals reviewed the district court ruling in the case First Vagabonds Church of God v. City of Orlando. This case had allowed the city of Orlando to fine or imprison members of groups like Food Not Bombs if they tried to share food without a permit, within two miles of city hall. The case also limited the amount of permits a group could receive, by lowering permits to two per park, allowed in only a 12 month period. The ordinance also defines what constitutes a group feeding as “‘intended to attract, attracting, or likely to attract twenty-five’ or more people including distributors and servers.”

In another instance, the case of Santa Monica Food Not Bombs v. City of Santa Monica caused legal trouble for the group. This case, unlike First Vagabonds Church of God v. City of Orlando, dealt with permits for food sharing for the entire city, not just certain parks. Santa Monica’s law had a similar stipulation to Orlando’s 25 or more people stipulation. However, Santa Monica's law stated that, “...any activity or event involving one hundred fifty or more persons on City owned, controlled, or maintained property, or any activity or event which the applicant intends to advertise in advance via radio, television and/or widely-distributed print media shall be deemed to be an activity or event of 150 or more persons," would need to be provided with a permit. These laws stopped Food Not Bombs from being able to distribute food. Due to the organization's inability to use advertisement and the possibility of having over 150 people in attendance, Food Not Bombs would have needed a permit in accordance to Santa Monica law.