Gardaworld officers hired by the City of Peterborough once again served a trespass notice to the volunteers of Food Not Bombs on Monday evening (April 1). This is the second time in two weeks that the volunteers and community members who comprise the Peterborough chapter of the international mutual aid movement have been served with a trespass notice.Just like the week before, meals continued to be served.

Two weeks after being told they would need a permit to continue handing out free food to the community, the Peterborough chapter of Food Not Bombs gathered again—as they have for over 18 years—at Confederation Park in defiance of the City’s threats to shut them down. This time, volunteers received warning that next week there would be no warning prior to police intervention.

Demand for the free weekly provided by Food Not Bombs has increased throughout the past year’s lockdowns, reaching an all-time high in August and September. Elizabeth Mitton dives into the local chapter of this international movement that has provided a free meal in Nogo-Ptbo every week since 2005. In the face of a global health crisis, which has exacerbated an already tenuous and unjust food system, community members come together every week at Food Not Bombs to share in resistance. As member Myles Connor articulates this organization “is an opportunity for praxis...not an opportunity to give back, but to take action.”