Occupy Nashville

Occupy Nashville
Part of the "Occupy" protests
Date October 7th, 2011 – present (65) Location Nashville, Tennessee Status Ongoing Causes Economic inequality Corporate influence over government Goals End corporate "personhood" Characteristics Non violent protest Civil disobedience Occupation Picketing Demonstrations

Occupy Nashville is an ongoing demonstration and occupation located at Legislative Plaza in Nashville, Tennessee.

Arrests

On October 27th Governor Bill Haslam signed an executive order enacting a curfew at the state capitol. In the early morning hours of October 28, 29 protesters were arrested when they refused to comply with the order,^[1] and on the following day, 26 were arrested.^[2] In both cases, the arrests were thrown out by General Sessions Night Court Commissioner Tom Nelson, who argued the state had no authority to set a curfew for Legislative Plaza.^[3] Haslam stated the curfew was necessary due to deteriorating sanitary conditions and safety issues on the Plaza,^[4][2] though critics have stated that the curfew is a violation of the protesters' civil rights.^[5]

Journalist arrested

On October 29, 2011 a reporter covering Occupy Nashville for the Nashville Scene was arrested with demonstrators for violating the executive-ordered curfew despite identifying himself as a member of the press.^[6][7]

Lawsuit

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in federal court on October 31 to halt the arrests.^[5] On November 17, U.S. District Court Judge Aleta Trauger signed an injunction barring the state from enforcing the curfew on Legislative Plaza until the court could decide whether the curfew violates protesters' constitutional rights or not. A decision is not expected until February.^[8]

See also

Occupy articles List of global Occupy protest locations Occupy movement Timeline of Occupy Wall Street We are the 99% Other U.S. protests 2011 United States public employee protests 2011 Wisconsin protests

Related articles Economic inequality Grassroots movement Income inequality in the United States Lobbying

Plutocracy Protest Tea Party protests Timeline of Occupy Wall Street Wealth inequality in the United States

• Social movements portal
• Politics portal
• Business and economics portal
• Society portal
• Tennessee portal
• United States portal

References

1. ^ "Occupy Nashville Prostestors Arrested and Released," NewsChannel5.com, 29 October 2011. Retrieved: 29 October 2011.
2. ^ ^{a b} Lucas Johnson II, "Tenn. Gov.: 'Occupy' Arrests Necessary for Safety," The Tennessean, 1 November 2011.
3. ^ Jim Ridley, "Night Court Magistrate Throws the Book at Haslam, Troopers Over Occupy Nashville Arrests," Nashvillescene.com, 29 October 2011. Retrieved: 29 October 2011.
4. ^ "TN Governor Bill Haslam Defends Actions; Occupy Nashville Situation had 'Deteriorated'," WBIR.com, 29 October 2011. Retrieved: 29 October 2011.
5. ^ ^{a b} Brandon Gee, "Lawsuit Seeks Halt to Occupy Nashville Arrests," The Tennessean, 31 October 2011. Retrieved: 31 October 2011.
6. ^ "Occupy Nashville Prostestors Arrested and Released," NewsChannel5.com, 29 October 2011. Retrieved: 29 October 2011.
7. ^ Meador, Jonathan (November 03, 2011). "A Scene reporter arrested by the state sees Nashville under occupation — but whose?". Nashville Scene. http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashville/a-scene-reporter-arrested-by-the-state-sees-nashvlle-under-occupation-but-whose/Content?oid=2668260. 
8. ^ Haas, Brian (November 18, 2011). "Order gives Occupy Nashville protesters more time on plaza". The Tennessean. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111118/NEWS01/311180057/Order-gives-Occupy-Nashville-protesters-more-time-plaza. Retrieved November 20, 2011.