Police Called After Free Easter Dinner Turns Violent

[matcom]

<snip>

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A free Easter dinner for poor ended abruptly when a crowd gathered for the meal got rowdy. "People were pushing in and yelling," said organizer Wendy Carter. "One woman was really out of control, and we called police."

The police advised Carter and her fellow volunteers to shut down the affair at Gus's World Famous Chicken in downtown Memphis.

About 300 people had been served chicken dinner but scores more were waiting outside when police were called.

The dinner was arranged by the restaurant's owners and other volunteers who wanted to do something special for the less fortunate on Easter.

The affair was scheduled to run from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. It ended about 2 p.m.

"We hate it that we weren't able to serve everyone ... but you have to think of safety first," Carter said.

http://www.boston.com/news/odd/articles/2005/03/28/rowdy_crowd_ends_free_easter_dinner/

[MADem]

1. So much for the religious aspect of the holiday

I guess it's really all about a chicken dinner to some folks...who knew????