occupy nashville

Homeless Advocates Occupy Legislative Plaza

AP/WMOT — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:32:17 +0000

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Legislative plaza was briefly occupied once again Sunday night, but not by the Occupy Movement.

Last Occupy Nashville Protester Evicted From Plaza

AP/WMOT — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:07:37 +0000

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — March is proving to be a challenging month for the Occupy movement in Middle Tennessee.

Occupy Nashville Preparing for Eviction

AP/WMOT — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:40:08 +0000

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A proposal designed to evict Occupy Nashville protesters is headed to the governor for his consideration.

The legislation passed the House 68-21 Monday evening after lawmakers agreed to a change by the Senate, which approved the bill 20-10 last week.

The measure makes it a crime to camp on any state-owned land that’s not specifically designated for camping.

Bill Aimed At Occupy Nashville Passes House

AP/WMOT — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:12:30 +0000

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) -- A proposal aimed at stopping Occupy Nashville protesters from staying overnight on the Capitol complex has passed the House.

The measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Eric Watson of Cleveland was approved 70-26 after a lengthy debate Thursday morning. The companion bill was to be heard on the Senate floor, but the upper chamber adjourned before hearing the legislation.

Occupation of Public Square Short-Lived

AP/WMOT — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:13:41 +0000

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — An attempt to move the Occupy Nashville protest from the state Capitol to the city's Public Square was short-lived.

One tent was set up on the lawn of the city government headquarters Monday night. According to an Occupy spokesperson, seven Metro Nashville police cruisers arrived at the site early Tuesday morning and officers told tent dweller Matt Hammill a local ordinance barred camping there.

Hammill packed up his tent and left.

Burriss on Media: Occupy

Mike Osborne — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:39:32 +0000

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) -- It’s not often Murfreesboro and Nashville get to be in the middle of a national controversy, but that’s exactly what’s happening with the “occupy” movement. Both cities are facing a conflict between the protesters’ First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly, versus the two cities’ very real concerns about safety, security and sanitation.

Occupy Nashville Protests Loan Abuse Settlement

AP/WMOT — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:23:53 +0000

MURFREESBORO, Tenn (WMOT) -- Occupy Nashville is calling for fresh protests in downtown Nashville today. The group is using social media to encourage supporters to picket at a meeting of the Tennessee Banker’s Association being held at the Renaissance Hotel.

Occupy protesters are upset over a $25 billion dollar settlement announced yesterday between the federal government, 49 states, and five of the nation’s top mortgage lenders for loan abuses in recent years. Tennessee will reportedly receive $146 million dollars as part of the deal.

Occupy Nashville Prepares "Gauntlet" for Legislators

Mike Osborne — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:29:24 +0000

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) -- Occupy Nashville says its planning fresh protests aimed at legislators considering bills that could be used to evict the group from Legislative Plaza.

The Judiciary Committee’s of both the Tennessee House and Senate are scheduled to consider companion measures that would make camping on state property a misdemeanor.

In response, a spokesman for Occupy Nashville says the group will form what it calls a “gauntlet” on the plaza this afternoon, forcing legislators to pass by protesters to enter the capital.

Bill Aimed at Occupy Protesters Advances

AP/WMOT — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:31:27 +0000

NASHVILLE, Tenn (AP/WMOT) — A proposal that seeks to prevent Occupy Nashville protesters from staying overnight on the plaza next to the state Capitol advanced in the Tennessee General Assembly yesterday.

Legislation Could Affect Occupy Nashville

Associated Press — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:36:11 +0000

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers are proposing legislation that could affect Occupy Nashville protesters.

The measure says a person can’t live on publicly owned property that isn't designated or permitted as residential.

Protesters have occupied the plaza across the street from the state Capitol since early October. State troopers raided the encampment in late October and made 55 arrests, but the state has had to back down.