Gastonia, NC (The Weekly Vice) - Michael Francis McLaughlin, a 48-year-old homeless Gastonia man was jailed for allegedly wanting a cheeseburger.
According to Gastonia police, McLaughlin was Standing on Cox Road near I-85 Friday evening, holding up a cardboard sign that read: "I'm Thinking Of A Cheeseburger".
Investigators say it is against the law for anyone to beg or offer work for money or other compensation by forcing themselves upon the company of others. However, it is not believed that McLaughlin approached any vehicles.
McLaughlin was booked into jail and charged with unlawful solicitation. His bond was set at $500.
Mandi Milenko
The Weekly Vice
www.theweeklyvice.com
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10 comments:
Thought Police???
Didn't Arby's used to have a commercial with a little thought bubble over people's heads as they walked about?
NO, you CANNOT haz a cheezburger!!
This is a sad situation though. What was this guy honestly doing wrong if he wasn't approaching vehicles? He should sue the city for violating his freedom of speech rights. He has every right to state his want/need/thoughts of a cheeseburger.
Are you kidding me?! Where are the cops when the real crimes are happening?!!! Geez!
It looks like he will be getting his free meal after all.
It's just further evidence that it is against the law to be poor in this country. I know homeless people make local politicians twitchy because they feel it makes them look bad but, leave them alone if they're not harming anybody. Their life sucks enough as it is.
I really don't understand why the police bother with this guy. Maybe they were worried it might escalate into fries and a coke as well.
Glad to see the tax dollars going to good use. I was getting tired of seeing homeless, on the side of the road, holding up signs. I don't mind driving through potholes, though. So don't worry about using any of my money to fix those. And while you're at it, go ahead and drop a couple of more transient, 2 to 3 time child molester/sexual predators in my neighborhood. But this guy, hell, better give him the chair.
Jailed for being hungry in the world's richest country - excuse me while i hurl.
He probably would have avoided arrest if he had stated a brand preference...
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