TCRP Wins Preliminary Injunction in Houston Food Sharing Challenge
- Press Manager
- Feb 15, 2024
- 2 min read
Food Not Bombs Houston will be allowed to continue food-sharing without fines as the case moves forward
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2024
Contact: media@texascivilrightsproject.org
HOUSTON, TEXAS - Yesterday, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas granted a preliminary injunction to Food Not Bombs Houston. The injunction stops the City from being able to cite Food Not Bombs Houston volunteers for sharing food with homeless people outside the Downtown Central Library. Prior to the ruling, the group garnered 96 citations, potentially totaling more than $192,000 in fines.
In January, Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP) filed a lawsuit against the City of Houston for violating the First Amendment through its latest attempt at criminalizing food sharing. Houston’s Anti-Food Sharing Ordinance makes it a crime to feed five or more people in need on property without the owners' permission, including City property. The lawsuit seeks to overturn this Ordinance that targets some of Houston’s most vulnerable residents and those who serve them.
"Yesterday’s ruling is a huge win for our community,” said Randy Hiroshige (he/him), staff attorney, Criminal Injustice Program at TCRP. “This is the first step in defending the First Amendment rights of food-sharing organizations in Houston and rejecting the City’s cruel ordinance. Feeding our neighbors should not be a crime - Food Not Bombs has done vital work in Houston, and it’s time for the City to recognize the real harm this ordinance has caused. TCRP will continue working with Food Not Bombs and community members to ensure that the ordinance is struck down and that all Houstionians in need can access a warm, healthy meal.”
TCRP filed the lawsuit on behalf of Food Not Bombs Houston, the local group that has served free meals to thousands of community members outside the downtown Houston Central Public Library for nearly two decades. The group began receiving citations last year while sharing food at their regular location.
If you are interested in scheduling an interview with one of the lawyers on this case or TCRP’s criminal injustice experts, please contact media@texascivilrightsproject.org to coordinate.
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