Tagged: free speech

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.

Under current law, everyone has the right to demonstrate, picket, march and protest. At the same time, communities can impose what are called “reasonable time, place and manner” restraints. Plus, any restrictions that are imposed have to be the minimal necessary in order to both allow free speech and protect the public from unreasonable inconvenience.

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.

Tomorrow, Occupy Nashville is calling for protesters to attend the committee meetings in both the House and Senate where the bills will be considered

Michael Custer is an Occupy spokesman.  He says,

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.

The measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Eric Watson of Cleveland was approved on a voice vote in the House Judiciary Subcommittee. The companion bill is awaiting a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The legislation would make it a misdemeanor to lay down, as the bill reads, "bedding for the purpose of sleeping." The proposal refers to items associated with camping, "including tents, portable toilets, sleeping bags, tarps, propane heaters, cooking equipment and generators."