Occupiers Protesting Legislative Eviction Proposal

Members of Occupy Nashville tried to set up a “gauntlet” Monday night outside the state’s legislative chambers, where lawmakers would have to walk past. Only about two dozen protesters showed up – a far cry from last fall, when hundreds turned out over an earlier attempt to kick occupiers out.

Occupiers are protesting a bill that would evict the encampment from the plaza outside the state capitol. While going unacknowledged by many, last night occupier Michael Custer told any lawmaker, staffer or lobbyist in earshot that kind of rule-change amounts to “cheating.”

“We followed the rules. We followed the law. Changing the rules in the middle of the game is not fair play. Only cheaters change the rules in the middle of the game.”

Because of a federal injunction protecting the protest, any attempt to kick occupiers out could trigger a court fight. Governor Bill Haslam prefers a slower rulemaking process instead of a new law. The speakers of both the state House and Senate have said they want occupiers gone.

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Occupiers plan to have a presence again Tuesday when the proposal comes up in a pair of committees.