Hello everyone.
Things are moving right along in school, meaning that I feel like I'm losing my mind already. Oh well. I'll get things done. I always manage somehow. :)
Here's the news for today:
-- Los Angeles is turning to an unconventional plan to attempt to save the city money. Occupiers arrested for low level misdemeanors can have all charges dropped of they pay over $350 to a private company for a class to educate them on the "limits of the First Amendment." The city is considering expanding the class to involve anti-war demonstrators and students who are angry at tuition hikes. The Chief Deputy City Attorney says that it will save the city the costs of court cases, and that "The First Amendment is not absolute."
-- Tennessee state lawmakers are at it again, attempting to pass legislation that gets around the Federal Court injunction that stops them from evicting Occupiers from Legislative Plaza in Nashville. Two Republican lawmakers introduced the bill, which would make it a misdemeanor to "maintain living quarters on publicly owned property that is not designated or permitted for residential use." Other clauses in the bill include outlawing "use or assembly on publicly owned property" if they find that it "pose(s) a health hazard or threat to the safety or welfare of another person using, assembling upon, or employed to work upon that property." Not only would police be allowed to remove violators, but protesters would also be liable for any property damage.
-- Occupy Chicago will be dealing with new regulations come the G8 and NATO summits in May. The Mayor has new ordinances in play, restricting the hours that public protesting can be performed, and hiking up fines for resisting arrest and obstructing police. In protesting the new regulations, Occupy Chicago was joined by several groups, including Coalition Against NATO/G8 Agenda of War and Poverty and several union groups.
-- Occupiers at St. Paul's Cathedral have been told to leave, but it's not likely they will do so without a fight. The Justice ruled in favor of the London Corporation, saying that the encampment is a "public nuisance," and that any of the points the Corporation made during the trial would have been enough to win the case on its own. Attorneys for Occupy London have said they will fight the ruling all the way to the European Court of Human Rights if necessary.
-- Occupy Syracuse was evicted early this morning, leading to 7 protesters choosing to be peacefully arrested. The Occupiers were ordered to evacuate the camp after the city became concerned with fire hazards in the form of propane tanks and space heaters. The 7 arrested were cited for illegally erecting a tent in a public space. Loaders and compactor trucks were used to remove (destroy) the tents and gear remaining.
-- Boise lawmakers are also trying to pass legislation that would allow them to evict the Occupiers near the Old Ada County Courthouse. The bill would outlaw camping on state property near the Capitol. Occupy Boise is discussing further action, including possibly moving their Occupation, while preparing for a raid.
-- Occupy San Francisco is moving forward with plans to disrupt the Financial District on Friday, with over 2 dozen events planned, and Occupiers coming from as far away as DC. They will be picketing at multiple financial institutions on the second anniversary of the Citizen's United Supreme Court Decision. A rally is also planned at noon at the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Just across the bay, Occupy Oakland will also be having rallies and protests.
That's all for today.
***Solidarity***
If you have questions, comments, corrections, or other info, please email me at elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com. Thanks.
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