Media Contact: Sierra Ludington, 505-300-1099

ROSWELL, NM –– Food Not Bombs Roswell (FNBR) and the City of Roswell have reached an agreement settling FNBR’s lawsuit against the City. In April, FNBR sued after the City prohibited it from sharing free meals as part of its political demonstrations at Pioneer Plaza, in violation of its constitutional right to free speech. As part of the settlement, the City of Roswell agreed that Pioneer Plaza is a “traditional public forum,” a designation that carries some of the strongest free speech and public assembly protections under the law. The City of Roswell also agreed that the public ordinance they had previously applied to restrict FNBR’s food sharing does not apply to the organization’s activities, and that FNBR will be allowed to return to Pioneer Plaza without a permit. 

FNBR founding member Jocelyn Smith said, “This settlement is about more than sharing food. It’s about protecting our ability to gather in public, care for one another, and build momentum to end hunger in our community. We are pleased that we can continue our work in Pioneer Plaza without barriers that prevent neighbors from helping neighbors.”

Food Not Bombs Roswell, the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty (NMCLP), Smith and Marjanovic Law, LLC, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico, dismissed the litigation on June 18, 2026 after the agreement was reached.

“This settlement affirms that public parks and plazas belong to everyone. Food sharing is both an essential form of community support and a form of free speech protected by the Constitution. Food Not Bombs Roswell is putting its beliefs into action and building a future where hunger no longer exists by ensuring that food is accessible to everyone in their community,” said Marco Alarid White, Public Benefits Attorney at NMCLP.

Food Not Bombs Roswell is at Pioneer Plaza on Wednesdays at 4PM and Sundays at 2PM sharing food with community members, and sharing their belief in a world where hunger no longer exists. They also regularly update their Facebook page regarding scheduling.