Bill Targets Occupy Nashville
Lawmakers concerned about the Occupy Nashville encampment next to the state Capitol are promoting a bill that would criminalize camping on public property across the state.
House Judiciary Chairman Eric Watson is sponsoring the legislation that would make it a misdemeanor to “maintain living quarters on publicly owned property that is not designated or permitted for residential use.”
Watson said bill will ensure equal access for all groups to the stone plaza atop the underground legislative office building.
Last year Gov. Bill Haslam’s administration lost a legal battle over a curfew that was used to temporarily dislodge the encampment.
Attorney David Briley successfully represented Occupy Nashville protesters in that action. He said the new bill is “problematic when it comes to the First Amendment.”
