—Group says sharing food requires no permit, questions who obtained authorization on their behalf—
Just hours after Mayor D.C. Reeves announced a “harmonious resolution” to the Food Not Bombs controversy, the organization rejected the permit obtained on their behalf, calling their weekly meal distributions a First Amendment-protected activity that requires no city authorization.
- “Food Not Bombs Pensacola has been vocal that we will not request and do not want or need a permit,” the group stated on social media Friday. “We ask people not to request a permit on our behalf.”
The organization learned about the permit through Mayor Reeves’ Facebook announcement and says they still don’t know who obtained it. They have requested a copy of the permit from the city and are awaiting a response.
Gatherings – A Political Protest
Food Not Bombs frames its Friday evening gatherings as political protest rather than simply charitable work. “Our weekly protests with a shared meal is protected by the First Amendment,” the group stated. “Sharing food is always an unregulated gift of compassion.”
The statement also challenges the mayor’s characterization of the permit as resolving the underlying issues at Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza. The group says Reeves’ announcement “neglects to address that citizens cannot walk through or rest at MLK plaza without fear of harassment by police.”
This echoes concerns raised by downtown business owner Dan Lindemann, who told the City Council in December 2024 that he was stopped by police and warned about walking through the plaza after dark while heading to a community event.
The permit rejection creates fresh uncertainty for the 14-year-old weekly food distribution. Mike Kimberl, who organizes the meals, was arrested Nov. 28 after refusing to provide identification to a police officer enforcing the park’s sunset closure rule.
FOOD NOT BOMBS – POST:
Food Not Bombs Pensacola has been vocal that we will not request and do not want or need a permit. We ask people not to request a permit on our behalf. Our weekly protests with a shared meal is protected by the First Amendment. Sharing food is always an unregulated gift of compassion.
We do not know who obtained the permit. We learned about this through the mayor’s Facebook post. We refuse this permit and believe the mayor’s announcement neglects to address that citizens cannot walk through or rest in MLK Plaza without fear of harassment by police.
We have requested a copy of the permit and are waiting for a response.
