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Tulsa Arrests Food Not Bombs Volunteers Over Permit

5/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On May 6, Tulsa police arrested four Food Not Bombs volunteers after they refused to stop distributing meals.
The city said it had contacted the group over 20 times since April about permits and cited blockage and debris.
Body-camera video shows officers demanding a permit, handcuffing volunteer Savannah Davis who claimed a First Amendment right, while courts that cited an 11th Circuit 2018 decision have ruled food distribution is protected expressive conduct.

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Story summary

On May 6, Tulsa police arrested four Food Not Bombs volunteers after they refused to stop distributing meals.
The city said it had contacted the group over 20 times since April about permits and cited blockage and debris.
Body-camera video shows officers demanding a permit, handcuffing volunteer Savannah Davis who claimed a First Amendment right, while courts that cited an 11th Circuit 2018 decision have ruled food distribution is protected expressive conduct.