Grandma vows to keep fighting so she can feed homeless at Bullhead City park

BULLHEAD CITY, AZ (AZFamily) — An Arizona grandmother is determined to keep helping her neighborhood in need even though she’s been told to stop feeding people experiencing homelessness in public parks.

This week, the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona dismissed Norma Thornton’s lawsuit against Bullhead City.

“Well, I think it’s unfortunate,” said Thornton’s attorney, Suranjan Sen, with the Institute for Justice.

In March 2022, Thornton was arrested for serving food to homeless people at a city park. The city has an ordinance that makes it a misdemeanor to hand out food in public parks without a permit.

Although Thornton’s charges were later dropped, she wanted to take things to federal court.

“She believes this ordinance is unconstitutional, and we have argued that it is for a variety of reasons,” said Sen.

Thornton has been fighting to overturn the city’s rule, which she believes limits her charitable efforts.

“She wants to be able to go back to serving people in the park like she used to,” said Sen.

For now, Thornton is now continuing to help people from an alley

The city said the court’s decision underscores its ordinance regulating how meals are distributed to promote public health and safety.

Sen said they would submit their appeal in a couple of months.

“This isn’t really a question, or case that turns on any factual disputes. The question is about what the Constitution demands - what the Constitution requires,” said Sen.

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