ORLANDO, Fla. -- Two groups are suing the city of Orlando over controversial feeding regulations involving the homeless in a case that is being watched by cities and groups across the country.

Orlando regulations restrict the amount of people that can be fed in city parks, effectively banning a group from large public feedings more than twice a year.

Food Not Bombs and another group are suing for the right to feed the hungry.

"They are no different from you or me," a protester said. "They still have feelings and still have stomachs that need to be full."

The city argues that feeding the homeless in parks leads to aggressive pandhandling which leads to economic problems for business owners and frightens residents, Local 6's J.R. Stone reported.

"We leave this park cleaner than it was than when we came," a worker said. "There has never been one report of violence."

Monday, dozens of people protested outside the federal courthouse, saying they are angry with the city's ordinance against feeding large groups of the homeless in city parks.

"It is not like we are hurting anybody," a protestor said. "We are just trying to help people. What is the world coming to when we can't help each other?"

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer will likely be forced to answer questions during the trial this week, Local 6 reported.

A decision is expected by the end of the week.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.