Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
weartv.com/news/local/pensacola-homeless-advocate-arrested-on-city-ordinance-charge-at-food-giveaway-event
Pensacola homeless advocate arrested on city ordinance charge at food giveaway event
PENSACOLA, Fla. -- A Pensacola community activist was arrested Friday night at a weekly event feeding the homeless.
Michael Kimberl, 49, was booked into jail Friday around 8:30 p.m. on misdemeanor charges of violating a city ordinance and resisting arrest. He posted $1,000 bond Saturday around 12:20 a.m.
Every week, Kimberl helps with the "Food Not Bombs" free Friday community meal at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Plaza in Downtown Pensacola. The group has been holding the event since 2011.
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Donate to the Foundation For Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) fire.org/donate
My wife and I frequently do volunteer work at homeless shelters done by the amazing people at Beaches Homeless Coalition. The Beaches Homeless Coalition puts on Comfort Night Shelters and Cold Night Shelters for the homeless in the Jacksonville Beach area. Please donate to the Beaches Homeless Coalition at this link… donorbox.org/support-beaches-homeless-coalition
BEACHES HOMELESS COALITION
Mission Statement
At Beaches Homeless Coalition (BHC), we uplift and serve the homeless population of the Jacksonville beaches with compassion, love, and respect—without expectations. Homelessness should not be a barrier to accessing resources and support. With a robust network of community partners and volunteers, BHC helps to connect those in need with essential services.
donorbox.org/support-beaches-homeless-coalition
Why Panhandling is Free Speech
Expressive Conduct: Holding a sign or asking for money is a form of expression, which is protected under the First Amendment.
Charitable Appeal: The act of soliciting donations is viewed as a "charitable appeal for funds," falling under the broad category of protected speech.
Content-Based vs. Content-Neutral: Regulations that target the specific content of the speech (e.g., arguing against panhandling based on the message of requesting money) face strict scrutiny and unconstitutional.
weartv.com/news/local/pensacola-homeless-advocate-arrested-on-city-ordinance-charge-at-food-giveaway-event
Pensacola homeless advocate arrested on city ordinance charge at food giveaway event
PENSACOLA, Fla. -- A Pensacola community activist was arrested Friday night at a weekly event feeding the homeless.
Michael Kimberl, 49, was booked into jail Friday around 8:30 p.m. on misdemeanor charges of violating a city ordinance and resisting arrest. He posted $1,000 bond Saturday around 12:20 a.m.
Every week, Kimberl helps with the "Food Not Bombs" free Friday community meal at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Plaza in Downtown Pensacola. The group has been holding the event since 2011.
———————————
Donate to the Foundation For Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) fire.org/donate
My wife and I frequently do volunteer work at homeless shelters done by the amazing people at Beaches Homeless Coalition. The Beaches Homeless Coalition puts on Comfort Night Shelters and Cold Night Shelters for the homeless in the Jacksonville Beach area. Please donate to the Beaches Homeless Coalition at this link… donorbox.org/support-beaches-homeless-coalition
BEACHES HOMELESS COALITION
Mission Statement
At Beaches Homeless Coalition (BHC), we uplift and serve the homeless population of the Jacksonville beaches with compassion, love, and respect—without expectations. Homelessness should not be a barrier to accessing resources and support. With a robust network of community partners and volunteers, BHC helps to connect those in need with essential services.
donorbox.org/support-beaches-homeless-coalition
Why Panhandling is Free Speech
Expressive Conduct: Holding a sign or asking for money is a form of expression, which is protected under the First Amendment.
Charitable Appeal: The act of soliciting donations is viewed as a "charitable appeal for funds," falling under the broad category of protected speech.
Content-Based vs. Content-Neutral: Regulations that target the specific content of the speech (e.g., arguing against panhandling based on the message of requesting money) face strict scrutiny and unconstitutional.
