By admin 
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Two nonprofit organizations filed a federal lawsuit against Phoenix over a new ordinance that limits who can provide food and medical care in city parks.
Read more Josephine Fire burning in southern Arizona
Circle the City and Valle del Sol filed a lawsuit on Monday in federal court, arguing that the new rules violate their First Amendment rights.
The ordinance that took effect earlier this month requires groups to obtain permits before providing services such as medical care or food distribution in parks. It makes it a misdemeanor to provide food or medical care in city parks without a permit and bans certain medical services involving needles altogether.
Permits are capped at two per park per month for food or medical services.
Circle the City provides medical care to people experiencing homelessness. Valle del Sol operates harm reduction programs, including needle exchange services.
The nonprofits argue the ordinance unfairly targets charitable organizations and will make it harder for them to reach vulnerable people who rely on their services.
“It’s really sad and discouraging that the city passed this ordinance,” attorney Jared Keenan said. “This ordinance does not make our parks cleaner or safer. It makes them more dangerous, and it also sends a message that our city does not care about the most vulnerable residents of the city. And that’s why we’re doing what we’re doing.”
This is the second lawsuit Phoenix is facing over the ordinance. St. Herman’s Table, a church ministry that serves meals to people experiencing homelessness, filed the first lawsuit.
Read more Woman found dead in wash near Silverlake Road identified
Last week, a federal judge temporarily blocked the city from enforcing the ordinance against St. Herman’s Table while the case moves forward. That ruling only applies to St. Herman’s Table.
The organizations behind the new lawsuit say a broader court order is needed so groups providing both food and medical care can continue operating without interruption.
City leaders maintain the ordinance is lawful and say they are committed to keeping parks safe and accessible for everyone.
See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.
Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.
Read more Walter Parazaider, founding member of the band Chicago, dies at 81