Judge blocks Philadelphia's homeless feeding ban

PHILADELPHIA - July 12, 2012 (WPVI) -- A federal judge has blocked Philadelphia's effort to ban the feeding of homeless people outdoors.

U.S. District Judge William Yohn says he saw no evidence a city plan to feed the homeless outside City Hall was any better than the way it's done by groups along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Yohn said Thursday his temporary injunction blocking enforcement of the ordinance would stay in effect until he files a written opinion.

Paul Messing, an attorney for religious groups that challenged the ban, says the ruling shows the city hasn't come up with a good reason to stop the feedings. City officials argued the feedings pose a potential health risk and that the people being fed need more than just food.

Mayor Michael Nutter tells The Philadelphia Inquirer he's disappointed in the ruling.

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philadelphia, homeless, center city, mayor michael nutter, local/state

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