A federal judge has ruled in support of a city law that greatly restricts the ability of groups to feed the homeless outdoors.

Food Not Bombs, which holds Friday night food-sharings at downtown's Stranahan Park, sued the city in January 2015 after it passed the law and others aimed at controlling the impact of the homeless.

The group claimed the city law would "have a chilling effect on plaintiffs' exercise of free speech and association," but U.S. District Judge William Zloch sided with the city in his decision released Friday.

Zloch said the group's food-sharing is not "expressive conduct" that would be protected by the First Amendment.

He also said the city rules aren't restricting the group's "ability to gather together, or associate, but simply requiring them to obtain a permit and follow a detailed protocol if they want to share food at these outdoor gatherings."

CAPTION Island Water Sports offers free community surf lessons every Saturday from 7 to 9 a.m. at the store in Deerfield Beach. Instructor Giancarlo Mercado leads groups of up to 150 people with the goal of teaching the necessary skills for students to be able to get up on the board in the water. IWS also offers private lessons and summer camps. Water Sports is at 1985 NE Second St., Deefield Beach. For more infomation, call 954-281-2797 or go to islandcamps.com/free-lessons. Island Water Sports offers free community surf lessons every Saturday from 7 to 9 a.m. at the store in Deerfield Beach. Instructor Giancarlo Mercado leads groups of up to 150 people with the goal of teaching the necessary skills for students to be able to get up on the board in the water. IWS also offers private lessons and summer camps. Water Sports is at 1985 NE Second St., Deefield Beach. For more infomation, call 954-281-2797 or go to islandcamps.com/free-lessons. CAPTION Island Water Sports offers free community surf lessons every Saturday from 7 to 9 a.m. at the store in Deerfield Beach. Instructor Giancarlo Mercado leads groups of up to 150 people with the goal of teaching the necessary skills for students to be able to get up on the board in the water. IWS also offers private lessons and summer camps. Water Sports is at 1985 NE Second St., Deefield Beach. For more infomation, call 954-281-2797 or go to islandcamps.com/free-lessons. Island Water Sports offers free community surf lessons every Saturday from 7 to 9 a.m. at the store in Deerfield Beach. Instructor Giancarlo Mercado leads groups of up to 150 people with the goal of teaching the necessary skills for students to be able to get up on the board in the water. IWS also offers private lessons and summer camps. Water Sports is at 1985 NE Second St., Deefield Beach. For more infomation, call 954-281-2797 or go to islandcamps.com/free-lessons. CAPTION People who don't give a second thought as to what they put in their recycling bins can harm efforts to improve the environment. People who don't give a second thought as to what they put in their recycling bins can harm efforts to improve the environment. CAPTION Kim Liakos, of Coral Springs, was taken into custody Wednesday, a week after a judge signed a warrant for her arrest, authorities said. Kim Liakos, of Coral Springs, was taken into custody Wednesday, a week after a judge signed a warrant for her arrest, authorities said. CAPTION The child is reported to have lost his left hand. The child is reported to have lost his left hand. CAPTION The tragedy happened in Pembroke Pines at the Pines Village community. The tragedy happened in Pembroke Pines at the Pines Village community.

The city has not pursued enforcement of the outdoor feeding restrictions because of a separate suit filed by Arnold Abbott, the 92-year-old whose Love Thy Neighbor group has been feeding the homeless on the beach for several decades. That suit is still pending.

Other laws passed by the city restrict panhandling at busy intersections and prohibit people from storing their belongings on public property or sleeping downtown on public property. Commissioners said the rules are designed to promote security and public safety.

lbarszewski@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4556