Occupy protesters Anthony Gales, left, Ben Grady, center, and James Martin, right, eat dinner at the campsite on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn.
The measure follows an unsuccessful attempt by the state to evict the Occupy protesters from Nashville’s Legislative Plaza in October.
“It chills the spirit of freedom of speech and assembly by targeting a particular form of expression,” said Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee. “When you recognize that the Occupy folks were choosing to camp and put up tents as the very means by which they were expressing their frustration with the government -- to have that then be identified as criminal, challenges their right to political speech.”
The legislation does not specifically refer to the plaza where Occupy protesters have gathered, instead describing public property in one section as "a state park, recreation area, wildlife refuge, historic building, educational institution or natural green space." It notes the legislation is "specifically intended to protect state interests jeopardized by the activity of camping on state property that is not compatible to or designated for such activity."
The broad language poses a major problem for the homeless, said Charles Strobel, founding director of Room in the Inn and its Campus for Human Development, a religious nonprofit that provides services to the homeless in central Tennessee.
“I think it’s what they might refer to as unintended consequences,” he said. "… It’s criminalizing the right to exist as a human being. It’s outlawing homelessness."
Strobel, who has worked with the homeless community for 34 years, described the legislation as "cruel and mean.” He said it will join a number of measures, such as "quality of life" offenses, that the homeless already have to contend with.
"So this is just one of a number of situations that you’re constantly facing with the homeless, that they are being shuffled around and, of course, in this case, they just have to keep walking … God forbid that they stop and rest," he said late Tuesday.
Related story: Tale of a Southern 'Occupy': Nashville aims to bridge political divides
Some homeless had sheltered at Legislative Plaza before the Occupy protesters arrived, since there were only about 1,500 beds available to the city’s estimated more than 4,000 people who need them, Strobel said.
As many as 50 homeless people lived in the Occupy camp at the height of the protest, but that number has dropped to about 10, said Lindsey Krinks, a 27-year-old student at Vanderbilt Divinity School and a homeless advocate who is also an Occupy member.
“A lot of people have cleared off the plaza because they’re so concerned about getting jail time and fines that they can’t pay and having all of their belongings confiscated ... which is really problematic when you are looking at people who have so little to begin with," she said.
Among those is Nathan Rice, 32, who said he has lived on the streets since 13 and recycles cans for money. He arrived at the Occupy camp in mid-November and said he is "pretty much committed" to the movement.
“It was just a safe place to sleep and people treated me fairly nice,” Rice said of the Occupy camp. "They didn’t look at you as just homeless ... they looked at us as equals.”
One of the legislation's sponsors, Republican Rep. Eric Watson, said in an email that the legislation “does nothing to impact the homeless population” and did not elaborate. He directed msnbc.com to the text of the legislation regarding questions about the bill's intent.
The other sponsor, Republican Sen. Dolores R. Gresham, did not respond to an email and phone calls from msnbc.com seeking comment by early Wednesday afternoon.
But in an interview with The Associated Press on Monday, she said the purpose was to make the grounds around the Capitol available to all visitors.
AP Photo/Erik SchelzigSen. Dolores Gresham introduces her bill seeking to ban unauthorized camping on public property on the Senate floor in Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012.
Health concerns and preservation of state resources are cited in the bill among the reasons to impose the changes.
"It is in the state’s interests to be a good steward of public land and manage and protect it in such a manner as to ensure that future generations of Tennesseans are able to continue to enjoy the natural treasures and rich beauty of this state," the bill said.
While many other Occupy camps have been shuttered across the country using similar regulations since Occupy Wall Street began in September, U.S. District Court Judge Lynn Winmill in Idaho issued a temporary order on Monday allowing Occupy protesters in Boise to keep their tents.
The judge wrote that the camp was in a public place that is "highly visible and physically close to the seat of government, making it a natural forum for political protests." He has not allowed sleeping but said an argument could be made for it as a protected freedom of expression, according to KBOI2.com.
The order was issued in response to a new law signed last week by Idaho's governor intended to remove the protesters from the property surrounding a vacant courthouse where they've camped out since early November, The Associated Press reported.
Criminalization of the homeless in jurisdictions around the country “has become progressively worse over the last couple of years,” said Neil Donovan, executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless.
“A number of communities are passing ordinances like this to push back against the Occupy movement and when you look at communities, some do it more artfully than others, and this is certainly not in that camp,” he said. “It’s quite apparent that they are constructing this to limit … very distinct behavior and actions.”
Donovan said it was a “flagrant targeting” of a group of individuals and said he thought it was unlikely to stand up in court. When asked how the legislation compared to others on the books, he said it was among "those ordinances that violate people's rights" and was "part of a collective movement" to restrict the rights of those who engage in "reasonable activities."
“Anytime that a state engages in this type of behavior it opens the door and creates a path for other ordinances and other laws that will affect the homeless so we would strongly object to this” kind of legislation, he added.
A separate process is also under way in Tennessee to write new procedures for the use of the plaza amid an ongoing federal lawsuit, filed by the local ACLU, which alleges that the state illegally revised the rules controlling the site last October when it tried to evict the Occupy protesters.
Comment collapsed by the community
I
think most of you bought into the headline, "criminalizing
homelessness". You can be homeless without persecution, but you cannot
takeover public property. This law does allow authorities to clear
public parks of unwanted squatters. Here in Hawaii, one of the bluest of
Blue States, they have passed laws to keep people from sleeping and
storing their property in public parks and on sidewalks. We have
temporary and transitional shelters for the homeless. The chronic
homeless want nothing to do with those shelters because they choose not
to live by anybody elses rules. It's hard to maintain you crystal meth
habit in a shelter. Most of our homeless are there because of drug,
alcohol, and mental health problems. Prior to our government passing
these laws, we had public parks where regular folks were afraid to go.
The Occupy folks and their supporters only use the freedom of speech
line in order to defend their disruption to the normal use of these
parks. Public property being squatted on is the issue, not freedom of
speech. You can speak your mind while enjoying these public areas, you
just should not be able to take up residence there.
- 22 votes
Passing
a law which could have a negative effect on society in general as the
public and political establishment become more isolated from one
another.
- 13 votes
Love
how the right will stand up for free speech and right to assemble when
it is THEIR message... but when the other team does it, "Jail them".
We have gone from: "I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"... to silencing any opposing viewpoint.
So much for honor and respect. You all should be so proud.
We have gone from: "I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"... to silencing any opposing viewpoint.
So much for honor and respect. You all should be so proud.
- 14 votes
truthseeker
Republicans from the United States weren't in Germany during WWII. But the democrats were here in the US. In fact it was the leftie loon FDR who decided to round up US ctizens and put them in camps because of their nationality. He even did it against the will of his Attorney General. You can spew all the crap you want about the right in this couintry but if you really study history you will see that the left has been on the wrong side of equality issues most of the time.
Republicans from the United States weren't in Germany during WWII. But the democrats were here in the US. In fact it was the leftie loon FDR who decided to round up US ctizens and put them in camps because of their nationality. He even did it against the will of his Attorney General. You can spew all the crap you want about the right in this couintry but if you really study history you will see that the left has been on the wrong side of equality issues most of the time.
- 15 votes
Sean,
you're off your liberal game today. Here's just one article addressing
the millions of dollars that the Occupy Movement has cost those of us
that stoill pay taxes. There are many articles easily accessible to you
if you really want to know. I bet you don't.
Occupy protests costs taxpayers, cities nearly $13 million: survey
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
During the first two months of the nationwide Occupy protests, the movement that is demanding more out of the wealthiest Americans cost local taxpayers at least $13 million in police overtime and other municipal services, according to a survey by The Associated Press.
Occupy protests costs taxpayers, cities nearly $13 million: survey
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
During the first two months of the nationwide Occupy protests, the movement that is demanding more out of the wealthiest Americans cost local taxpayers at least $13 million in police overtime and other municipal services, according to a survey by The Associated Press.
The heaviest financial burden has fallen upon law
enforcement agencies tasked with monitoring marches and evicting
protesters from outdoor camps. And the steepest costs by far piled up in
New York City and Oakland, Calif., where police clashed with protesters
on several occasions.
- 14 votes
If you please Mike's Krotch, do you mean the legislators or the occupiers? Both can be scummy at times!!
- 5 votes
@
Bobby Jones, another teabagger. Sad day in America when your very right
to exist is challenged. The GOP want to make anyone and everyone that
doesn't bend over backwards for them illegal in one way or another. And
NO Booby I am not talking about actual Illegals.. Although..
The GOP want to make being gay illegal. They want to make gay people illegal. They want to control who you can and cannot be with, live with or even marry. The GOP want to force Judeo-Christian Sharia law on ALL of America and then rule with the iron fists of Christiandom. The GOP want to rule with a bible in one hand and a fully automatic weapon in the other.
Public Property? That is the biggest caveat in the law! Anything could be deemed as "green space," and/or "public property," since a government has immanent domain. The GOP are separating this nation further and further each day with bunk laws like this.
Elect a GOPer in 2012 for the President and we'll have WW3 with Iran, China, Russia, North Korea and, Venezuela. Willard and Ricky both want to invade Iran. Iran is a sovereign nation and has the right to develop ANY technology it see's fit. Hell we gave Israel the tech for nukes. Israel is going to be the downfall of America. Let them fight their own battles. We saved them total destruction and this is how they repay us? Lies about Iraq. A hand in 9-11.. America would be wiser to spend the trillions the GOP want to spend on war, rebuilding this nation instead.
The GOP want to make being gay illegal. They want to make gay people illegal. They want to control who you can and cannot be with, live with or even marry. The GOP want to force Judeo-Christian Sharia law on ALL of America and then rule with the iron fists of Christiandom. The GOP want to rule with a bible in one hand and a fully automatic weapon in the other.
Public Property? That is the biggest caveat in the law! Anything could be deemed as "green space," and/or "public property," since a government has immanent domain. The GOP are separating this nation further and further each day with bunk laws like this.
Elect a GOPer in 2012 for the President and we'll have WW3 with Iran, China, Russia, North Korea and, Venezuela. Willard and Ricky both want to invade Iran. Iran is a sovereign nation and has the right to develop ANY technology it see's fit. Hell we gave Israel the tech for nukes. Israel is going to be the downfall of America. Let them fight their own battles. We saved them total destruction and this is how they repay us? Lies about Iraq. A hand in 9-11.. America would be wiser to spend the trillions the GOP want to spend on war, rebuilding this nation instead.
- 9 votes
“It
chills the spirit of freedom of speech and assembly by targeting a
particular form of expression,” said Hedy Weinberg, executive director
of the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee.
Yea, because camping on property intended to be accessible to everyone is clearly a "form of expression".. what a joke.
I like to "express myself" by robbing banks, think the judge will feel sorry for me?
"It’s criminalizing the right to exist as a human being. It’s outlawing homelessness."
Drama queen much?
The only time in American history where the right to exist has been criminalized is the recent fines imposed by Obamacare for living without purchasing health insurance.
No, it outlaws squating on property intended for use by the taxpayers who fund it's construction and upkeep. You can still be homeless, you just can't take over public property... pretty plain and simple, not too surprising that liberals can't understand it though.
Yea, because camping on property intended to be accessible to everyone is clearly a "form of expression".. what a joke.
I like to "express myself" by robbing banks, think the judge will feel sorry for me?
"It’s criminalizing the right to exist as a human being. It’s outlawing homelessness."
Drama queen much?
The only time in American history where the right to exist has been criminalized is the recent fines imposed by Obamacare for living without purchasing health insurance.
No, it outlaws squating on property intended for use by the taxpayers who fund it's construction and upkeep. You can still be homeless, you just can't take over public property... pretty plain and simple, not too surprising that liberals can't understand it though.
- 12 votes
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.So Tennessee thinks they have a law that trumps the US constitution. Notice the First amendment does not say where, when or how you are "allowed" to to speak and assemble only that the people have the right to peaceably assemble. It does not say the government can regulate that assembly. As long as it is peaceful. The GOP is lucky that the Occupy movement hasn't assembled in the town square with their weapons as their ancestors did at Lexington and Concord. Since you GOPers don't all know this, that is in Massachusetts.
- 15 votes
@IndieParty
Love how the right will stand up for free speech and right to assemble when it is THEIR message... but when the other team does it, "Jail them".Could you please post examples of where this has happened? FYI, the First Amendemt does not give you the right to occupy anything. These people can show up every morning for the rest of their lives to assemble and speak freely as long as they go home that night.
- 13 votes
420 Frees the Mind
Seems 420 is clouding your ability to make accurate assumptions. It's also clouding your ability to realize your rights are not being taken away. They are preserving the rights of all citizens, not just the ones who feel since they squatted on "public" land first they are entitled to it.
Seems 420 is clouding your ability to make accurate assumptions. It's also clouding your ability to realize your rights are not being taken away. They are preserving the rights of all citizens, not just the ones who feel since they squatted on "public" land first they are entitled to it.
Elect a GOPer in 2012 for the President and we'll have WW3 with Iran, China, Russia, North Korea and, Venezuela.Oops I forgot what a wonderful job Obama is doing to prevent it.
- 12 votes
@Devil's Son
Please get a clue about the First Amendment before you make any more assine statement regarding it.
So Tennessee thinks they have a law that trumps the US constitution. Notice the First amendment does not say where, when or how you are "allowed" to to speak and assemble only that the people have the right to peaceably assemble. It does not say the government can regulate that assembly. As long as it is peaceful.You know what, I've got some stuff I'd like to protest about. I think I'll head to Washington and protest inside the Oval Office or maybe just on the front steps of the White House. If the Secret Service gives me any grief I'll just explain to them that the First Amendment gives me the right as long as I'm being peaceful. durrrrrrrr
Please get a clue about the First Amendment before you make any more assine statement regarding it.
- 12 votes
Lanikai Ron, nope, I'm not off my game at all; I set you up and you fell into it.
The bottom line is that the choice to send riot squads != "damages"
I went to Occupy in my city. There was no damage. OW kept their stuff together and their area was far cleaner than any campsite I visited during the summer and cleaner than the aftermath of any kid's birthday party held in the same location. I regularly attend events with larger gatherings on public land with an exponential number of attendees and a fraction of the police presence. While I was there there was never a need to have at least a dozen cops surveilling the area without probable cause. But that's a choice of the government, all the same.
Nope, I'm completely on my game today. Now, bring me some itemized "damages" that equalled "millions" like I instructed.
The bottom line is that the choice to send riot squads != "damages"
I went to Occupy in my city. There was no damage. OW kept their stuff together and their area was far cleaner than any campsite I visited during the summer and cleaner than the aftermath of any kid's birthday party held in the same location. I regularly attend events with larger gatherings on public land with an exponential number of attendees and a fraction of the police presence. While I was there there was never a need to have at least a dozen cops surveilling the area without probable cause. But that's a choice of the government, all the same.
Nope, I'm completely on my game today. Now, bring me some itemized "damages" that equalled "millions" like I instructed.
- 4 votes
does the 13 million include having to right some of the wrongs of the police brutality?
- 3 votes
*sigh*
crap likes this happens because we didn't let the south secede. Why didn't we just let them become a part of mexico? Let them take alaska, too, every crazy ass state who whines and screams "nyah nyah nyah nyah-nyah" at everything. The people who care about fetuses and don't care about the living who are suffering and dying, the people who are worried about muslims flying airplanes into their homes but aren't worried about massive hurricanes which level entire cities, the people who vote for republicans while they do just about every corrupt thing they accuse democrats of outside of a few core principles.
Can't we just make a bill making them all a part of a different country? I'm sick of reading comments left by hateful morons a tad late for the stone age.
crap likes this happens because we didn't let the south secede. Why didn't we just let them become a part of mexico? Let them take alaska, too, every crazy ass state who whines and screams "nyah nyah nyah nyah-nyah" at everything. The people who care about fetuses and don't care about the living who are suffering and dying, the people who are worried about muslims flying airplanes into their homes but aren't worried about massive hurricanes which level entire cities, the people who vote for republicans while they do just about every corrupt thing they accuse democrats of outside of a few core principles.
Can't we just make a bill making them all a part of a different country? I'm sick of reading comments left by hateful morons a tad late for the stone age.
- 5 votes
Satanick
#1.39 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 6:28 PM EST
#1.40 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 6:31 PM EST
#1.41 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 6:41 PM EST
#1.42 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 6:41 PM EST
#1.43 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 6:42 PM EST
#1.44 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 6:44 PM EST
Occupy better come back every day and raise hell. @!$%# this law.
- 6 votes
No problem Fox,
You can have the people who don't mind killing babies but want to let convicted killers live.
Anyone who supports a party 100% should have their head checked in the first place.
You can have the people who don't mind killing babies but want to let convicted killers live.
Anyone who supports a party 100% should have their head checked in the first place.
- 8 votes
Ido,
you idiot! There are few liberals left in the halls of Nashville. The
crazies in rural and east tennessee voted most of them out last election
cycle. This state has gone nuts, emphasis on the legislature. Since
the Republicans took control of our state government then re-elected
those two nutbag senators things have been going steadily down hill for
small businesses of 5 employees or less and the working poor. Secondly,
they say they are good steward!! What a crock. This is our state and our
land and our people. We pay taxes only to find that they can't even
manage to collect trash and break even. Our school systems are
mismanaged. Our cities are mismanaged and now the state is mismanaged.
If you want proof just look at what kind of crap they are creating and
passing in Nashville. The Republicans have created more problems than
they repaired.......and that's a fact. They want to have church in the
chambers of our congress and then they want to talk
freedom......................................sure.
- 4 votes
@Sean,
In Los Angeles, Democratic Mayor Antonio "Villaraigosa has said the cleanup and repair to the park might cost more than $1 million." Oh, and let's not forget the "overtime costs for city employees" during the "occupation." According to the LA Times, "Overtime costs for the General Services Department, which runs the police force assigned to City Hall and other municipal buildings, exceeded $100,000 even before the overnight raid [ending the 'occupation']."
www.gaypatriot.net/2011/12/10/how-much-will-it-cost-to-clean-up-after-occupy-movements/
Latest Occupy Portland cost estimate to repair Chapman, Lownsdale squares $50,000
www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/11/latest_occupy_portland_cost_es.html
Preliminary Report Reveals Occupy LA Cleanup Cost At Least $2.3M
losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/12/23/city-occupy-la-costs-at-least-2-3-million/
Occupy Movement's Price Tag Tops $20 Million …Much Higher Than the $13 Million That Was Previously Reported
www.thegatewaypundit.com/2011/11/occupy-movements-price-tag-tops-20000000-much-higher-than-the-13000000-that-was-previously-reported/
•Occupy Asheville – $170,000
•Occupy Atlanta – $652,000
•Occupy Austin – $110,000
•Occupy Boston – $575,000
•Occupy Charlotte – $105,000
•Occupy Chicago – $49,000
•Occupy Cincinnati – $128,000
•Occupy Des Moines – $7,800
•Occupy DC – $870,000
•Occupy Denver – $365,000
•Occupy Eugene – $20,000
•Occupy Fresno – $110,000
•Occupy LA – $120,000 plus estimated $400,000 to repair the lawn
•Occupy Long Beach – $40,000
•Occupy Minnesota – $400,000
•Occupy Nashville – $4,500
•Occupy New York – $7,000,000
•Occupy Oakland – $2,400,000 for police overtime alone
•Occupy Philadelphia – $500,000
•Occupy Phoenix – $200,000
•Occupy Portland – $750,000 3.5 million + $50,000 to repair damaged parks
•Occupy Providence – $9, 000
•Occupy Raleigh – $60, 000
•Occupy Sacramento – $300,000
•Occupy San Diego – $2,400,000
•Occupy San Francisco – $100,000
•Occupy St. Louis – $2,200
•Occupy Seattle – $625,999
– Total: Over $21,273,499
@Ryan, sorry for answering for you, I know you were going to get right on it.
Ryan, citation on "millions in damages" pleaseHere are few of those Documented Costs you asked about in 1.21
In Los Angeles, Democratic Mayor Antonio "Villaraigosa has said the cleanup and repair to the park might cost more than $1 million." Oh, and let's not forget the "overtime costs for city employees" during the "occupation." According to the LA Times, "Overtime costs for the General Services Department, which runs the police force assigned to City Hall and other municipal buildings, exceeded $100,000 even before the overnight raid [ending the 'occupation']."
www.gaypatriot.net/2011/12/10/how-much-will-it-cost-to-clean-up-after-occupy-movements/
Latest Occupy Portland cost estimate to repair Chapman, Lownsdale squares $50,000
www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/11/latest_occupy_portland_cost_es.html
Preliminary Report Reveals Occupy LA Cleanup Cost At Least $2.3M
losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/12/23/city-occupy-la-costs-at-least-2-3-million/
Occupy Movement's Price Tag Tops $20 Million …Much Higher Than the $13 Million That Was Previously Reported
www.thegatewaypundit.com/2011/11/occupy-movements-price-tag-tops-20000000-much-higher-than-the-13000000-that-was-previously-reported/
•Occupy Asheville – $170,000
•Occupy Atlanta – $652,000
•Occupy Austin – $110,000
•Occupy Boston – $575,000
•Occupy Charlotte – $105,000
•Occupy Chicago – $49,000
•Occupy Cincinnati – $128,000
•Occupy Des Moines – $7,800
•Occupy DC – $870,000
•Occupy Denver – $365,000
•Occupy Eugene – $20,000
•Occupy Fresno – $110,000
•Occupy LA – $120,000 plus estimated $400,000 to repair the lawn
•Occupy Long Beach – $40,000
•Occupy Minnesota – $400,000
•Occupy Nashville – $4,500
•Occupy New York – $7,000,000
•Occupy Oakland – $2,400,000 for police overtime alone
•Occupy Philadelphia – $500,000
•Occupy Phoenix – $200,000
•Occupy Portland – $750,000 3.5 million + $50,000 to repair damaged parks
•Occupy Providence – $9, 000
•Occupy Raleigh – $60, 000
•Occupy Sacramento – $300,000
•Occupy San Diego – $2,400,000
•Occupy San Francisco – $100,000
•Occupy St. Louis – $2,200
•Occupy Seattle – $625,999
– Total: Over $21,273,499
@Ryan, sorry for answering for you, I know you were going to get right on it.
- 9 votes
RandomFox
You were talking about democrats weren't you? The people who don't care about babies in the womb, the democrat leaders of Louisiana? If you are tired of reading hateful comments from morons you better go to another site far away from the looney leftists here at MSNBC.
cjbak - look what the democrats have done to the whole country since 2007. Yes, they said that they would fix everything if we elected them in 2006. They have failed and it has made every state, no matter what party is in charge, go in the wrong direction. Get rid of the progressive/liberals and things will get better.
You were talking about democrats weren't you? The people who don't care about babies in the womb, the democrat leaders of Louisiana? If you are tired of reading hateful comments from morons you better go to another site far away from the looney leftists here at MSNBC.
cjbak - look what the democrats have done to the whole country since 2007. Yes, they said that they would fix everything if we elected them in 2006. They have failed and it has made every state, no matter what party is in charge, go in the wrong direction. Get rid of the progressive/liberals and things will get better.
- 7 votes
As
a Tennessee resident, my advice would be go sue the state and steal the
land through "Eminent Domain" and file it as property of the people and
not property of the state. You could pretty much keep doing what you're
doing, pissing off the 1%. I'm sure we have at least 1 judge in this
state with some balls.
- 1 vote
I know you can't legally hunt in all the places listed. Does TN have state game lands?
And then to infringe on free speech by not allowing folks to say something about government; I would call that redneck ploitics, where ya shoot yourself in the ass and ask questions later where you have no ass to seat on....
Wow, the mid of a teabag is something, aint it?
Oh, forgive me...but if it was drafted by a Liberal, everything would be hunky dory.
The Occupy movement has completely STALLED months ago, as if there was an agenda. Time for the occupiers to pack up their bags and head home.
First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win . by Mahatma Gandhi.
I am not even part of the occupy movement, but I am smart enough to know poking a stick at it or making ridiculous laws only increases the tension.Though I must say, you sure picked an appropriate name for yourself.
And that includes you.