Overview
- A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on Thursday that bars Phoenix from enforcing its new parks permit rule against St. Herman’s Table and founder Lance Brace for 14 days.
- The court found the plaintiffs showed they are likely to succeed on a Free Exercise claim because the ordinance singles out food distributions done for charitable or humanitarian purposes.
- The ordinance, which took effect in early June, makes giving food or nonemergency medical care in city parks a misdemeanor without a permit, limits permits to two per park per month, and bans needle exchanges and syringe‑administered naloxone.
- The restraining order is narrowly tailored and covers only St. Herman’s Table and Lance Brace while the city says it will comply and continue enforcing the rule against other groups.
- The court has ordered the parties to file a joint statement by June 15 about consolidating briefing and will consider whether to extend relief with a preliminary injunction later in June, a decision that could affect how cities regulate charitable aid and harm‑reduction services.