Occupy Nashville Protesters Sue Governor Over Curfew

Occupy Nashville protesters are suing Gov. Bill Haslam over a new curfew on the grounds around the Capitol that has been used to dislodge their camp and arrest demonstrators.

The lawsuit claims the curfew was created without following required procedures, and its enforcement violates the protesters rights to free speech, freedom of assembly and due process.

The curfew was adopted on Thursday after protesters had camped on the Legislative Plaza for about three weeks. At 3 a.m. on Friday, state troopers moved in and arrested 29 protesters. Troopers arrested 26 more at the following night. On both occasions, the judicial commissioner refused to jail the protesters, and they were released.

Haslam’s spokesman David Smith said he cannot comment on pending litigation. The suit was filed Monday in federal court.

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Received Id 1378707483 on Oct 31 2011 11:10