Thursday, February 23, 2012
Breaking News Senate Votes to Oust Occupy Nashville
Posted by Jeff Woods on Thu, Feb 23, 2012 at 10:33 AM
The 20-10 vote was a foregone conclusion, but spectators still were forced to endure a farcical debate in which the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Dolores Gresham, pretended this was not about quashing free speech. No, the legislature is merely acting as good stewards of public property, she said. To hear Gresham talk, you’d think we were designating a new wilderness area somewhere.
Republicans obviously read their talking points from legal counsel. It’s fun to slap down protesters like some two-bit dictator, but it looks bad in federal court. Better to avoid the usual ranting and raving against long-haired hippie types and to claim instead that you’re passing an innocuous land management law.
“The bill is designed to create order in the use and management of public lands so that these properties are available and accessible to all the people of Tennessee,” Gresham said, somehow keeping a straight face.
Only three Democrats— Sens. Jim Kyle, Ophelia Ford and Beverly Marrero—spoke out against the bill on First Amendment grounds.
"If this were another country and they were not allowed to protest, we’d be up in arms," Marrero said. "We have people here who are protesting what they consider to be unfairness in our society and I think they certainly have the right to have their speech heard. Some of these people at great personal sacrifice have been out there in all kinds of bad weather in order to stand up for what they believe in. This takes away basic rights from people in Tennessee. Everybody’s voice needs to be heard."
"This bill does not have anything to do with right of protest, right of assembly, right of redress of grievances," Gresham replied, innocently batting her eyes. "It has to do with public management of state property."
Another Democrat, Sen. Douglas Henry, said he was all for giving the boot to the protesters. He said they are sullying the memory of the war dead for whom the plaza is named. Henry said he'd rather do it through state regulation, though. Whatever.
Sen. Roy Herron, D-Dresden, liked the idea of evicting the demonstrators too, but he worried that the bill is so broadly worded that it might threaten Boy Scouts on a camping trip or duck hunters in a blind on Reelfoot Lake. Who cares about free speech rights when there are campers and hunters to protect?
The bill goes back to the House on Monday for concurrence in a Senate amendment—a severability clause to ensure that, if any part of the law is tossed out in court, the rest will remain in effect. After that, Gov. Bill Haslam has said he will sign the bill into law. Once he does that, he says he will consult with the attorney general's office about whether to enforce it. U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger issued an injunction against the last round of arrests back in October. But her order was narrowly drawn, barring the state from enforcing its hastily imposed 10 p.m. curfew. It does not apply to this new statute. If Occupy Nashville remains on the plaza, expect more arrests soon.
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Comments (31)
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Looks like the free ride on the taxpayer's dime is about to end.
How sad.
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Hey Jeff, get a grip dude. You all at the Scene have been on the Occupiers band wagon from day one. In fact, if it weren't for the Scene nobody would no they were camping out and really that's all they have been doing. If you really want to make a fair comparison, go picth a tent in Percy Warner Park and see how long it takes before you get kicked out or arrested. Then scream free speech and see how far that gets you as they shove your butt in the back of a cop car.
Could your article have been more slanted towards the occupiers? I have a suggestion. Have the occupiers go take showers, change into some clean clothes and then walk down to one of our local military recruiters offices and sign up! The Army will be more than happy to give them a tent and see to it that they get all the "camping" time they want...hell, they will even get a paycheck. In order to classify these slugs as protestors, they have to have a point they are trying to get across...yet they all seemed dazed and confused on "what" they represent. Once this law is enacted, they can return to their parents basements and play video games all day and night...some may even do a 180 and fill out a job application and contribute to society. In the meantime, they are an embarassment to Nashville and I refuse to go downtown until these occupiers are removed.
How sad it is that all the narrow minded people can say get the hippies out of there get jobs take a shower .When in all honesty they are the only ones with balls enough to stand up for me, you and the rest being fooled by our politicians into thinking thier helping us.WAKE UP AMERICA.
Actually the Senate voted to end any and all camping on state owned property---NOT to oust Occupy Nashville as the headline reads.
Jimmy I think you hit on something. If you want to make a change, stand up for yourself. Don't rely on somebody else to do it. If you agree with their philosphy and methods than throw your time, money and support in the ring with them. That's your right and you should excercise it, but I don't need hippies and bums speaking or thinking for me. I grew up in that generation, I found I could speak and think alot better for myself than most hippies could.
I do not want to hear the GOP say one thing about free speech or taking back the country. They blew it on this issue. TN is going to be in a bad shape when Haslam gets his way on everthing that he wants for his family's protection and the safety of their money. He's taking every job security away from the working folk of TN. We are reaping what we voted for. A sad, sad day in TN. Our only hope is to change the TN Senate and House at the next election. I'm just waiting for him to take up birth control and obortions. Hell, he does not need an obortion so stay out of the lives of women.
The law does apply to all public ground, not just Legislative Plaza. So, all the homeless who have slept there for years - no more. All the homeless who sleep under bridges and in small tent encampments off the roads - no more. All the homeless who sleep in Centennial Park (don't pretend you don't know where) - no more. So, where are we going to build all the homeless shelters? Who's going to pay for them? Who's going to work at them? Who's going to make sure they have all the necessary supplies and equipment to feed, clothe and house the Nashville homeless population? Oh yea, the taxpayers. How will this happen? It'll happen by increased taxes, just like it always does. If any person isn't provided with shelter, under this law, they must be evicted. How many extra officers will it take to evict them and regularly patrol those areas? If the homeless are not evicted, welcome the lawsuits by the people who were. That means ... you guessed it! More tax dollars to fight the lawsuits.
This isn't an Occupy Nashville issue. It's a state mandate that makes absolutely no sense and will ultimately end up costing taxpayers more money than they ever imagined.
As far as ON goes, no drinking or drugs are allowed on the plaza and they police themselves. The vast majority of occupiers are employed. Quite a few of us, who don't camp for various reasons, but support ON in other ways, likely have better jobs than many Nashvillians. Making blanket statements about a group of people is just plain moronic.
BTW, Nashville Metro regularly drops the homeless off at the plaza and tells them to go to the camp for food and shelter. I wonder where Metro will drop them off now?
Are you a reporter or a blogger? I see the story is under the "News" heading but for the life of me I do not see how a trained 'journalist' can write, "spectators still were forced to endure a farcical debate in which the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Dolores Gresham, pretended this was not about quashing free speech.", and present it as as a factual unbiased statement. Laughable...
What a joke of a an article, we were forced to endure a farcical attempt at journalism. The occupy movement is not about free speech. It's a forum for liberal turds to posture about on a national stage spouting their lame propaganda. If they really believed in a cause they would take action not just another sit in. Its been done, look to past groups that have effected change.
This shouldn't be called "Breaking News", it should be called an Opinion piece. This is not factually stated news, it's liberal propaganda
Read the real truth about occupy.
http://occupydixie.blogspot.com/2012/02/occupy-nashville-drama-act-i.html
http://occupydixie.blogspot.com/2012/02/and-so-it-goes.html
http://occupydixie.blogspot.com/2012/02/occupy-nashville-drama-act-ii.html
Norma, is it really necessary that you vomit your bile every time you see an ON story?
Also a interesting read from a occupy media person.
http://occupiedfedoratales.blogspot.com/
Lynn Adams - Have no idea what you are talking about. Found the links on a buddy's wall and thought it to be interesting.
The story is about occupy and the blogs are about occupy.
you're right Paul and I apologize sincerely for thinking it was her directly. There are many other blogs with a much different opinion. I should not have assumed. That assumption is definitely my error.
Some things you should know about the person that composes that particular blog. I met her on the Plaza. I have spoken with her on many occasions online. She seems to be a good person and portrays herself as positive. However, when it comes to action, her actions have been very negative. We live by our actions, not just our words.
Matt, who was most of this particular blog's content, has been on the plaza from day one. Is he a young man who doesn't quite live up to her expectations. He does everything he can possibly do to move the movement forward. He is positive, yet he calls people out when he sees wrong doing.
Take notice - the face on the cam for the GA and just connecting with the Occupiers isn't hers. It's Matt. It's Jason. It's Buck, etc.
She is a person who hides behind a keyboard. I have spoken with her personally and tried to create some positive for the movement, only to be met with negative. If there's an issue, give ON a resolution that is positive. How can we fix this issue? She doesn't try to help with solutions. She only whips up anger. I have tried very diligently to try to meet her "demands", but there's absolutely no flexibility. I have tried to connect with her on many positive levels to be met with "it's my way or the highway". This movement is about democracy and every single person's opinion has the same weight.
With her, her opinion should rule. I have tried. I have talked. I have proposed compromise.
Yet, she puts this opinion, acknowledged, and people take it as truth, because they don't know better :)
thank you very much for letting me know that this wasn't her - this time
Oh is this that Matt dude Lynn Adams ?
http://twitter.com/#!/TANGELL0/status/170294763294171136/photo/1
Stealing is not ok in my book, but each to his own.
Do not know why you are talking about someone I have no clue about.
Wonder if you have seen this?
http://www.ketv.com/r/30528335/detail.html
http://evil-unveiled.com/Wolfy1619
Like I said, this was on a buddy's wall and it has to do with Occupy, just like the story here.
Spamming twitter and face-book for money, well I say " Get a Job". But that is the wonderful thing about opinions, we all have them.
lol - I haven't been on twitter in years and I wasn't an Adams at that point, It appears you are making the same assumptions about me that I did you. That's ok, but as I said, assumptions are in appropriate.
We really should take this out of this particular article's comments or we'll both be banned :)
I get more than enough spam and deal with it regularly so message me onewhisper 2 at yahoo dot com
This does raise an interesting issue, but it has nothing to do with this article or ON
I would enjoy a discussion with you
btw... he was just cutting up and making a joke. Public property = public access. I'm sure my taxes greatly overpaid any power they might use.
Whats more of an eye sore steiner lift or occupy nashville on leg plaza?
I'm sure readership will fall off drastically when this is finally accomplished!
There may be enough material generated over these "Occupy" stories for
submission for a "Pulitzer Prize" for the author!
Occupy Movement has never been about living in tents for the rest of eternity although many think that is all it is . OCCUPY is a MOVEMENT people MOVEMENT. Educate yourselves, the encampment will end- encampments have ended all over the world the Occupy Movement is not going anywhere- we are growing in numbers and getting stronger, we are more than a piece of real estate. We are the 99%, we are meeting in coffee houses, church basements, homes, union offices, abandoned buildings all over this country and the world. We are from all walks of life with different agendas and a common cause. We are clear about what we stand for and are committed. We stand in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street and if you have not read the Declaration you might google Occupy Wall Street Declaration and educate yourself. Then tell me if you are against the Occupy Movement? We are here and we are not going anywhere!
As far as ON goes, no drinking or drugs are allowed on the plaza and they police themselves. The vast majority of occupiers are employed...... thats the biggest lie I ever heard
Lynn just does such a good job of bringing people together. lol. lol. lol. lol.
Dear Everyone Who Commented On This Article In Support of A Bill Whose Purpose Is To Crush Free Speech,
There is a culture clash coming, you are fueling it. Economic growth is stagnating, while political power is being consolidated in the hands of people who have money, systematically stripped from those who don't. That basic fact undermines the ability of our democracy to function and should make everyone concerned about the health of our nation nervous. Eliminating legal forms of political opposition by those who are on the margins or are the systematic losers can only result in illegal forms of opposition. Get ready for the disenfranchised to make their voice heard in means less innocuous than camping out on public property, for which they have already demonstrated willingness to endure inclement weather, harsh living conditions, and police brutality, and have enjoyed widespread ideological public support. You are leaving them no other option. Oh, and by the way, "get a job" isn't just not an answer, it is inflammatory, when there are 50 applicants for every open job in our country, absent certain new, specialized fields for which the vast majority of Americans either aren't qualified, can't afford to be qualified, or don't have the aptitude for. The social issues underlying the emergence of the Occupy Movement aren't going anywhere just because the state legislature decides to pass a law barring their chosen form of speech. Said another, this law solves nothing and only serves to throw fuel on a slow burning fire. It's short-sighted at best, dangerously destructive at worst.
"The occupy movement is not about free speech. It's a forum for liberal turds to posture about on a national stage spouting their lame propaganda."
Dude, you need a primer on the First Amendment and the Tennessee Constitution. Propaganda *is* an exercise of speech, whether it comes from the right, left, or center.
Omg, check this out. Now they are fighting each other.
http://occupydixie.blogspot.com/2012/02/occupy-thugs.html
http://www.newschannel5.com/story/17022094/occupy-protestors-fight-in-downtown-nashville
http://occupiedfedoratales.blogspot.com/
http://yfrog.com/oej85kgj
: TharonChandler on 2/27/12 at 8:36
Please allow me to offer a Sincere word of Thanks to Representative Marsha Blackburn, of Tennessee; in regard to her recent activities in 'canvassing' the citizens of Lawrenceburg, TN. Allow me to say that I am shocked that Lawrence County is suddenly now listed to be within the 'Seventh Congressional district', of TN.
Oh boy.. look at the statements those tents are making. Hey... that green tent has a good point.
Squatting isn't any more free speech than someone taking a dump on your front lawn.
"BTW, Nashville Metro regularly drops the homeless off at the plaza and tells them to go to the camp for food and shelter. I wonder where Metro will drop them off now?"
This city has homeless shelters. They just have really strict rules like:
- No alcohol
- No drugs
- You must work (they put you to work)
We don't really have 'squatting' shelters... though I haven't seen any legislation that prevents anyone from squatting in your yard. Feel free to pitch some tents.
I'd like to see the Occupiers regroup and bring attention to other pressing issues in this state by leaving the legislative plaza where they were fighting for other things too numerous to ever mention and move back to under bridges, homeless shelters, dorm rooms and Nashville Scene offices. where they can shine a light on our crumbling infrastructure, lack of support for shelters, lack of support for higher liberal arts education and lack of journalistic opportunities.
