Posted on 08/15/2005 7:32:57 PM PDT by chindog
Panhandling will become illegal in the downtown core of Atlanta as soon as Mayor Shirley Franklin signs an ordinance adopted Monday by city council.
The council, after two months of debate and numerous boisterous public meetings, voted 12-3 to ban verbal requests for money in the central part of the city, an area referred to as the "tourist triangle."
Atlanta police arrested at least seven people, including a former councilman, at City Hall after the vote. People opposed to the ordinance repeatedly shouted, "Shame!"
The legislation was drafted by the Franklin administration, and the council expanded it Monday to include the area around the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site east of downtown.
The council meeting dissolved into unruly shouts of "shame" from critics of the ban. Council President Lisa Borders asked police to remove the protesters, and police took several into custody.
Former Atlanta City Councilman Derrick Boazman, who has been an outspoken critic of the panhandling proposal, was arrested outside City Hall shortly after the vote was taken.
(Excerpt) Read more at ajc.com ...
Liberal versus liberal. Hehehehe. Sounds like red on red in Iraq.
I approve, but good luck. The ACLU will jump on this with both feet claiming first ammendment rights.
Wish they'd pass one of those in Boston. Problem is, here people love them and go out of their way to give them money. I always tell them it would be more generous to just give the bums a fifth of vodka or even some crack cocaine. Saves time for the panhandlers so they can get back out on the street again and contribute their own special brand of happiness to society.
Give 'em coupons---drives them nuts.
Absolutely, mears, I have actually seen this. There was a priest in NYC who, in all sincerity, gave them either coupons for food or actual food. It completely threw the panhandlers off their game. They would eventually accept it, but you knew they were angry about it. Another good thing to do is ask THEM for spare change. I have found that panhandlers do not have all that great a sense of humor.
Hard to buy weed with coupons these days.. Not hard to understand their anger.
Now THAT I never thought of----asking them for money----I will the next time I'm in Boston.
Pretty funny!
Although Franklin is far from good, she is light years better than her predecessor, the guy who invented the race card, Bill Campbell.
Sounds like Atlanta needs some help. Send Rudy.
So, they will cease asking (panhandling) and just plain demand your money (Gimme yo money, mutha****!)
"Atlanta passes panhandling ban"
Atlanta unemployment rate shoots up to 100%.
I saw that Bozeman on the tv news tonight. From the gut on him I don't think he goes hungry too often. Oh well, anything to get on the news! Maybe Je$$e will come to town now. LOL!
Pull out a fiver and ask if they have change.
I will give money to people that put on a good street show. If someone takes the time to practice an act and give me some enjoyment, then I will throw them a few bucks.
There is a guy that always shows up at the ballgames here in St.Louis who I always try to remember and throw a few bucks at. He is a good spirited guy in a wheelchair who doesn`t have anything below the waist. I don`t know if he was born like that or what, but I always try and remember to save a few dollars for him. The kids tend to shy away from him, and he always seems to smile and tell them he is harmless. I always wanted to stop and talk with him but I am usually with friends or family who just want to get home. One of these days I am going to stop and chat with that fellow.
Usually stops them in their tracks while they try to figure out what happened.
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