WSMV Channel 4 TN lawmakers send anti-Occupy bill to full vote

After months of controversy, and the state literally pulling the electrical plug, the Occupy Nashville protests at Legislative Plaza could be coming to an end.

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Lawmakers are moving forward on a bill that would make it illegal to camp out near the State Capitol.

It has been four months since Occupy Nashville first staked their claim and tents to Legislative Plaza.

"This is a very sad day. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," said protester Jeanne Kling.

State lawmakers want to make it a crime to set up living quarters on the plaza. They say since the occupation began, there has been crime, drugs and other unsanitary acts.

"One of our employees that works at the plaza here was peed on. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves. And if you approve of that, and think that's peaceful assembly, you need to be peed on. See how you like it," said State Rep. Eric Watson, R-Cleveland.

Occupy members asked lawmakers to look at their tents as a sign of protest and say forcing them to take those tents down would violate their First Amendment rights.

"If money is free speech than surely a 24 hour vigil seven days a week through the rain and cold of the Tennessee winters must also count as free speech," said protester Michael Custer.

They found lawmakers who agreed with them

"The effect of this bill is to take a peaceful protest and make it a criminal act," said State Rep. Mike Stewart, D-Nashville.

But more did not.

"This has nothing to do to prevent people from protesting. It prevents people from living there," said State Rep. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol.

Occupy members also say the bill criminalizes homelessness.

"The proposed bill will create new criminal offenses that will hurt many individuals who have no place to go," said Steve Reiter, advocate for the homeless.

The Senate Judiciary Committee passed a similar measure to the one in the House Tuesday. The matter could go before both chambers for a full vote sometime next week.

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