I do not believe that this legislation changes the scientific standards that are taught in our schools or the curriculum, I also don’t believe that it accomplishes anything …   “Monkey Bill” Haslam

It hasn’t been a good week here in TN. Charles Pierce, Hunter, PZ Meyers, and Suzie Madrak have all spilled virtual ink and probably actual tears about goings-on here. (Even I joined the chorus of Cassandra’s.)

But we’re still left with the stupid.
(And how could this state leave names 19 & 20 linked together for an eternity? They will fly!!)

Professor PZ Meyers has linked to this handy chart as a partial palliative for part of our predicament, and of course, if anyone might ever want to hold your hand, you know what to do. And if by chance the Legislature manages to get one wrong, at least you won’t be alone.  [cont'd.]

Because it gets worse.Vance is back.
And he’s got a friend. Who’s got a bill.
So we’ve got a petition.
And we’d like you to sign. And tell some friends.

Today on the steps of the State Capitol, about forty or so people showed up for a rally to protest the climate and creationist laws (the hand-holding and Bully 2:The Sequel haven’t had a chance to show up on the radar yet). The media was present, and there should be video later (hopefully without ads).

The speakers were Larisa DeSantis, Ryan Haupt, and Jen James, who have been working with MoveOn and 350.org. They managed to get some 3,200 signatures to deliver to Gov. Haslam, and the numbers have continued to grow, both inside and out of state, forcing him to go from “Monkey Bill” to “Weasel Will,” as the opening quote shows. He wouldn’t sign it.

Among those present were a half dozen or so members of Occupy Nashville. Unfortunately, they’ve been in a bit of a slump lately, although they hope to rally mightily for May Day. (Sounds like they could use a little Beautiful Trouble to spark up their love of life.) We care.

So does ON. They are in touch with Progresso Community Center and hope to help with ESL lessons, and stand in solidarity with immigrants and refugees.

Maybe “Monkey Law” wouldn’t be all that bad after all…..

After all, we’re all one big happy family.

Nashville artist Brandt Hardin created an original painting dealing with the “Monkey Law.” I don’t know art, but I know that I like. I wasn’t sure about the legality of using the image without his permission, so I’ll link to it here. Feel free to post here for Saturday (or anyday) Art, Brandt

 

Tennessee has been in the news again, and as usual, not for very good reasons. Bills legalizing ignorance, stupidity, and greed are poised for take-off. The first two bills won’t even create “useful idiots,” but a totally useless variety, while the third eliminates the inheritance tax by 2016 (click on the PDF in the above link). Bill Howell of Tennesseans For Fair Taxation predicted passage of SB 3762/HB 3760 was pretty much a done deal at GA today.

In a recent interview on The Young Turks , Memphis Congressman Steve Cohen noted how TN’s voter demographic is changing to a deeper red as retirees are moving here due to the lack of a state income tax. Our State nickname is being adjusted to “The Voluntarily Stupid State.”

Fortunately, sentient Tennesseans have been standing up. Just this week, some 3,200 signatures were delivered to Gov. Haslam (There’s still time to add more, and call the Governor’s office if you feel so inclined), courtesy of MoveOn and friend of FDL Bill McKibben’s 350.org.

Occupy Nashville has not been idle, either. After last week’s successful “sleep over,” they featured Sizwe Herring of Earth Matters Networks, speaking about “Occupy Permaculture: Designing an Enlightened, Ancient Future Together.” (I only wish I had known about him earlier.) Upcoming events with him are here. [cont'd.]

 

This Sunday, April 1, Nashville will join with communities and cities across the United States and Canada for a National Day of Action for the Right to Exist, sponsored by WRAP, the Western Regional Advocacy Program.

At stake is Room In The Inn

vs.

Room in the prison

While I’ve addressed Nashville’s homeless situation and the CCA and ALEC’s eagerness to turn misery into money, I don’t think I can say it better than Lindsey has done:

Friends and fellow housing advocates,
Just wanted to invite you to an event we’re having next Sunday, April 1st (Palm Sunday) to bring attention to the criminalization of homelessness. All of the details are below. I hope you’ll be able to drop by and I hope you’re well. :)with peace.

“RALLY FOR THE RIGHT TO EXIST”

Do you think it is a crime to be homeless?

Do you think law enforcement should engage in “social profiling?”

Do you think it should be possible for people to be locked away for a year in jail and charged with a $2,500 fine just for sleeping on State property?

If you don’t (or even if you do), you’re invited to a “Rally for the Right to Exist!” [cont'd.]

WHAT? Nashville homeless advocates will host a “Rally for the Right to Exist” with food, teach-ins, documentaries, music, and discussions culminating with a mass “sleep-in” to stand (and sleep) in solidarity with our unhoused neighbors and to support the civil and human rights of all, particularly the poor and homeless. This rally and act of civil disobedience is intended to draw attention to Metro Nashville and the State of Tennessee’s onerous anti-homeless laws. The event is part of a larger bi-national day of action with more than a dozen other cities across the United States and Canada participating to raise awareness about the ongoing criminalization of homelessness in our communities.

WHERE? Legislative Plaza, 301 6th Ave. North, Nashville, TN 37243. (In case of rain, check our Facebook page for this event.)

WHEN? Sunday April 1st from 1:30pm until Monday April 2nd at 7:00am. (Come whenever you can!)

Schedule of Events:

1:30 p.m. Free lunch with Food Not Bombs

3:00-4:00 Meditation, talking circles, and Palm Sunday worship with Amos House Community

4:00-5:00 Mobile foot clinic

5:00-6:00 Pot-luck dinner with music (bring food is you can!)

6:00-6:30 Welcome and introductions

6:30-7:30 Teach-ins including “Know Your Rights” and “Criminalization in Nashville”

7:30-9:30 Screening of a documentary

9:30-Sunrise Sleep-in on the Plaza

WHO? Everyone! Students, teachers, families, unhoused friends, advocates, activists, legislators, service providers, the faith community, the non-faith community, and everyone in-between!

WHY? On March 2nd, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signed HB 2638/SB 2505 into law, making camping, sleeping and cooking on state property a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by almost a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. In addition, “quality of life” ordinances enforced by Metro Nashville Police officers have disproportionately targeted members of the homeless community for carrying out non-criminal acts in public spaces, especially since 2007. Laws that prohibit sleeping on public property and staying too long in public passageways may make our cities more “attractive,” but the downside of these “quality of life” laws is that they criminalize the very existence of people with nowhere to go. Furthermore, these arrests and citations make it more difficult to get a job and housing and further perpetuate the cycle of poverty with court fees and jail costs. On any given night, there are not enough shelter beds or affordable housing units to accommodate everyone in need. Hundreds of men, women, and children have no place to go save the streets and public spaces, yet these laws further victimize them for doing so. Furthermore, in Davidson County alone, vacant housing units (24,479 in 2010) vastly outnumber the people who lack affordable housing (approximately 4,000)

Nashville Stats (Summary Report of Committee on Police/Homeless Issues to the Metropolitan Homelessness Commission, February 7, 2011):

- From 2004 through 2009, the number of physical arrests by police for obstructing a passageway increased by approximately 500% (from 102 in 2004 to 520 in 2009).

- From 2004 through 2009, the number of physical arrests by police for public intoxication more than doubled (from 2029 in 2004 to 5,031 in 2009) DESPITE the existence of Room in the Inn’s “The Guest House” which exists to provide a less expensive, more holistic alternative to jail for those who struggle with addiction issues.

- As physical arrests of homeless individuals for “quality of life” offenses were increasing between 2004 and 2009, the number of state citations issued during that same period of time drastically reduced.

To learn more about this day of action and to see other participating cities and a list of endorsements, visit www.WRAPhome.com – the website for the Western Regional Advocacy Project.

Occupy Nashville has more here.

In case you you need a little proselytizing to get you in the mood to go, here’s Reverend Al’s “Take Me to the (Cumberland) River.”

 

Last Monday morning at about 4 am, Occupy Nashville was finally evicted from Legislative Plaza. I updated my then current post with the news and a couple of links, plus ON’s statement later that day. Lone camper Chris Humphrey was dragged from his tent, but not arrested. The information table was at first confiscated, then returned.

ON has chosen not to try and re-Occupy the Plaza by camping, but has maintained a presence with their information table, and in true ON fashion, a unique spin on the use of a tent-probably the best use of one since this last November- by unveiling “The Tent Monster.”

The Tent Monster was a big hit, and kids especially loved it, according the man beneath the monster, Chris Humphrey. In fact, ON received five pizzas, soft drinks, and $174 in donations that day. (I was proud to present a box of clothes and supplies to Chris today, courtesy of Occupy Supply, to salute his hard work with ON. Ironically, temperatures have been in the 70′s the last few days as I gave him the box of cold weather gear. Chris has written for The Contributor, Nashville’s newspaper written by it’s homeless community, and I hope he will contribute to FDL.)

The Legislature is not finished with ON; not by a long shot. Just as ‘sKoch’ Walker in Wisconsin claimed $7.5 million damages (for what were in reality about $347,500 in damages), now TN is claiming a minimum of $61,000 in damages. Among the damages being charged for are the “cost of removing fecal matter, urine and needles,” which “totaled $9,900.” And we all know, that if it involves urine it involves Watson, Eric P Watson, of course, who makes the cost $151,000. The Tennessean has a database here. Fortunately, TN’s Teabag Republicans have been a frugal lot, and thus quite qualified to cast stones, among other items at (sometimes) real but more often imaginary targets. [cont'd.]

It’ll take more than the frothy mix of Watson’s fetid imagination and the Legislature’s quasi-legal maneuvering to stop ON, however. Monday, 19 March is a big day as Occupy Vanderbilt begins. Also on the 19th, former FDL book salon guest Michelle Alexander comes to Nashville’s American Baptist College for a luncheon and speech about her book, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the age of Color Blindness.

The folllowing Monday (26th), at the Friends Meeting House at 530 26th Ave, Kathy Kelly will speak on Afghanistan.

Lindsay Krinks informed us today about an action planned for 1 April, coordinated by the USA-Canada Alliance of Inhabitants, “a bi-national day of action to protest the ongoing criminalization of poor and homeless people in our communities.” Starting about 4 pm, it will feature teach-ins, and culminate with a mass sleep-in.

Nanci Griffith leads us out with a video that features a couple of shots of ON, along with a multitude of other Occupies.

My latest humble offering,

features scenes of Legislative Plaza today (17 March) along with Blind Willie Johnson’s “Dark Was The Night.” Compare that with this, my first video of ON from 14. Jan. It seems like such a long time ago……

 

On Friday, 2 March, Governor Bill Haslam signed into law “the measure that makes it illegal for anyone to camp on state-owned land that is not specifically designated for that purpose.” Gov. Haslam also gave Occupy Nashville a seven day notice to leave or face the maximum fines of $2,500 and /or 11 months and 29 days in jail, echoing an earlier comment made by Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey .

Last Saturday, the feeling was that Haslam would act sooner rather than later, but as of today, ON, although reduced to a lone camper and his tent, is still on the Plaza.

Chris Humphrey has decided to sacrifice himself to test the new law. “I believe in going hard or going home, and I ain’t got a home.” He added that, “If I have to sit in there, I’ll sit in there for a year or six months,” he said. “I’ve been here for five months. I’ve been through tornadoes, the cold. I’ve been frostbitten and all that. I don’t care about six months, sitting in no jail.”

Chris has been my liaison while I serve as FDL liaison with ON. He’s a quiet, soft spoken man, who’s experiences belie his 24 years. He’s been a key part of ON’s logistics team, and as the only full-time liaison team member (as in 24/7 camper), has been handed more than his share of headaches from the sometimes fractious mix of Occupiers and homeless hangers-on. He was in great spirits today, and as the Plaza will feature a wedding tonight, his tent was moved stage right for the revelers. But don’t think that tipsy wedding guests will be his only companions, ON has been there with him. And they will continue to be with him. I’m proud to know him and write about him.

But will the police be there for him? Various people have asked that question, and the protracted eviction process has been a bumpy ride. They’re a day late as of this (Saturday 10 March) post, and “If you give someone an ultimatum, you need to make sure you do what you say you’re going to do, or ultimatums don’t work very often after that.”

It wouldn’t be ON without a future, no matter how tenuous the present may be. First and foremost, they need bodies to man the information table in the Plaza. Any vitriol ON releases among themselves is negated by the righteous anger they express towards our wealth-friendly government. Wednesday featured a “Day of Rage,” and Thursday was an “International Women’s Day Celebration.” [cont'd.]

There is also the matter of the white supremacist Amren Conference at Montgomery Bell State Park, 16-18 March, 2012. Monday is also the 1st anniversary of the tsunami that trashed Japan, and a “die-in” is planned. Show up and fall down.

As if your Monday won’t be busy enough, in the ON tradition, there’s the inevitable more. A Day of Equality (scroll down) is planned, with Nashville in Harmony scheduled to perform at the Plaza. The Tennessee Equality Project will host a training session at the Oasis Center about Advocacy 101.

This spills over into Tuesday, with a breakfast and then a hearing at noon on Tennessee’s Don’t Say Gay Bill. Just say Takei.

GA concluded with a discussion about the next phase of ON, initiated by Rowland Huddleston, who called for “the old hippy vision” which would “recreate society as if people matter.” He’ll have stiff competition from the TN GOP, who want to recreate society as if guns matter; but a broad-based grassroots movement ON discussed that could encompass community gardens, Food Not Bombs (and the AWESOME Beer Not Bombs), Transition Nashville, and a North Nashville neighborhoods movement for a start, is a pretty amazing vision from the gang that couldn’t agree straight a couple of weeks ago. You can count them down, but count them out at your own peril.

It’s in ‘em, and it’s gotta come out. This week’s tune is “Boogie Chillen’ ” by John Lee Hooker. What you do after watching and listening to this is up to you, but it will be cool.

 

Governor Haslam signed a bill last Friday to evict Occupy Nashville from Legislative Plaza. ON has been given a week’s notice, effective 2 March, so anytime after the midnight hour this coming Thursday night/Friday morning (8/9 March), the Plaza could be filled with refugees from a Star Wars convention. This has even been garnering some national attention. While most of the Occupiers have found other havens, a small corps remains, and in spite of the excessive penalties, there are some that plan on getting arrested.

After last Saturday’s acrimonious GA, ON continued to have a rough week. While the nights are still in the 30′s, temperatures during the day were pleasant enough. On Friday however, Mother Nature once again threw everything but the kitchen sink at the hardy hangers-on. High winds, thunder storms, heavy rain, and golf ball sized hail stones pelted the Plaza, while tornado sirens filled what little atmosphere that was still available.

Occupier Jason Steen was also pelted, but in a different way, as a (now former) Occupier assaulted him and did some real damage to Jason’s head, fracturing his face, but not his resolve. This is the second time I know of where Jason has had problems with his safety at the Plaza, and in spite of this, he’s still an active and contributing Occupier, and is among those that plan on getting arrested. You can help Jason here, and all of ON here.

They also learned that ACLU won’t be taking up the case against HB2638/ SB2508. While it was noted that the ACLU didn’t originally plan on protesting the October arrests, the expenses that could be incurred this time could be prohibitive, possibly having to go all the wayto the Supreme Court. There are several legal points I am not qualified to address, but be aware the ACLU is not throwing ON to the lions. Another legal matter, allowing the presence of a symbolic tent and some sort of shelter for protestors, was raised, and ON’s legal council will ask the TN AG about the use of the “money tent,” and a possible shelter tent. Camping and sleeping are prohibited, and reaction is still unknown, although ON has been constantly reassured that protesting is protected and legal 24/7. [cont'd.]

This week, ON also bid a final farewell to friend Charles Potter today, with three members attending his funeral. With the Nashville-based Corrections Corporation of America and ALEC looking to make TN’s homeless our version of Arizona’s illegal immigrants, a “chronic booking offender” is now more cash cow than human being.

But this week wasn’t all Occupy Hell, as there’s still a lot rhythm in these rockin’ bones. Walkupy walked into town. Also happening last Wednesday, ON did battle with fave foes BOA and ALEC.

This coming Wednesday (7 March), will feature a big event in the Plaza, the United Campus Workers Rally for Civil, Worker, Human Rights. Last year’s rally featured over a 1,000 protestors.

ON is facing Friday’s coming eviction with a resolve and determination I haven’t seen in a couple of weeks. While prepared to give up camping, they are not going to stop protesting. Supporters are welcome, both physically and financially. As noted above, this could be a long day, as police could arrive any time after 11:59 Thursday, 8 March. Various gestures and actions were discussed, but most involved people, so if you or anyone you know can attend this Thursday’s GA, you should. Fortunately, TN’s police have so far on the whole avoided any use of the excessive force that has soiled the legacy of the sons of 911 in other states, but they did show up dressed to kill last October.

Lucky listeners get a double dose of Dave Bartholomew this post to funk you up, with “That’s How You Got Killed Before,” and “The Monkey.” It’s got a good beat and you can believe to it.

 

We’re gonna clean up this 1% town…

Sitting here in Limbo
Waiting for the dice to roll.
Yeah, now, sitting here in Limbo,
Still got some time to search my soul.
Meanwhile, they’re putting up a resistance,
But I know that my faith will lead me on

Jimmy Cliff

“The report of my death was an exaggeration.”
Mark Twain

Like a good neighbor, Occupy Nashville is still there, their days now numbering 135. And the spirit that occupies them is nothing if not resilient. Last Tuesday’s GA, I hate to admit, was a bit painful to watch as the frustration and tension of events caused some bitterness and rancor in the ranks; but they rebounded Thursday in fine fashion, handing out flowers to passersby and setting up a small tent in front of GA. What could this shift in mood be attributed to?  [cont'd.]

While HB 2638 passed in the House, it met some unexpected resistance in that chamber. Bill Howell reports

that Occupy Nashville received robust support from the 26 state representatives who voted against HB2638. We should thank them all and especially those who spoke so eloquently in defense of our First Amendment rights. They are Representatives Johnnie Turner, Mike Stewart, Mike Turner, Gary Odom, Johnny Shaw, Joe Towns, Craig Fitzhugh, Jimmy Naifeh and Michael McDonald.

The fireworks included these exchanges:

We give the Ku Klux Klan, as reprehensible as they are to me and I hope to you guys, they have the right to protest in this country,” House Democratic Caucus chairman Mike Turner said. “They were camping at Tiananmen Square and they put the tanks on them and they threw them out. Most of you would defend the right to carry a gun anywhere in the state. We’re going to carry guns everywhere in the state of Tennessee, but by God, you can’t camp.”

“When do you have to have a tent to protest?” asked Rep. Eric P Watson, R-Cleveland, the measure’s sponsor.

“When it’s cold,” shot back opponent Rep. Joe Towns, D-Memphis.

Democrats to be proud of. But unfortunately, they are a minority in the Legislature. The Senate deferred to vote on SB 2508 until next week (most likely Thursday, but it may happen as early as Tuesday), when ON will once again ask for your help with phone calls, emails, donations, and, as they say in Hawaii, your kokua. They plan on meeting that morning at about 8 am to greet the senators before the session, and then attend. The bill could still go before Governor Haslam that day, although he wants to run it by AG Robert Cooper before enforcing it.

Besides dealing with the Constitutionally challenged, ON always has plans for a better world, including a potluck party this Sunday at Helen Bailey’s house at 3, participating both in a National Day of Action against corporations, and a Rally For Civil Rights, Labor Rights, and Human Rights 7 March.

This Tuesday is Mardi Gras, and believe me, ON has something special in store for GA. Be there, or beware. The wit is ready to hit the fan.

Scenes from Occupy Nashville 14 & 18 Feb. Includes quotes from TN Legislative ‘debate’ about evicting ON. I think TN Democrats deserve a round of applause.
Song is “The River Runs,” by John Cruz, from his 1996 album, “Acoustic Soul.” If you like these videos, pass them on and show your local Occupiers some love.

 

Unless something unexpected happens, this Thursday could see the end of Occupy Nashville’s presence at Legislative Plaza. This doesn’t mean the end of ON; they’re still weighing their options, but right now their main concerns are protecting their homeless friends who have been braving the elements 24/7 at the Plaza (last night was in the 20′s with flurries, and today was sunny but near freezing, with lows in the teens predicted for tonight) and also the protection of community property. Open Table will be providing a warm and safe haven tonight.

Because the TN Legislature has been crafting revenge with a vengeance. As it stands now, the House and Senate bills will prohibit camping, along with anything related to camping, in the Plaza, which will now be a Class A misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $2,500 and up to 11 months and 29 days in jail. And the word is that there is pressure building to make at least one example. In spite of this, about a half dozen Occupiers plan on being arrested, although the situation is fluid. More will be known this Tuesday when the Committee decides when to place the bills on the calendar. After ‘debate,’ the bills will be voted on and passed.  [cont'd.]

In addition to the steep penalties, all Occupiers’ possessions can be confiscated and not returned. There will be no camping, and no tents, although the law so far guarantees the right to protest 24/7. Protestors could be charged with other crimes instead of/along with practicing the First Amendment, such as trespassing. If someone’s name is found on something inside a tent, even if that person isn’t present, they could still be arrested.

Yet, this week can actually be scored as Christians 3, Lions 1, as ON continues to sneer at adversity, racking up three impressive victories this week alone. First and foremost, Chase has backed off on Helen Bailey’s foreclosure.

Second, Wells Fargo now has to produce original documents in regards to the foreclosure case against Janice Davis

Third, a planned action against Trader Joe’s because of their refusal to honor the Fair Food Agreement was cancelled today due to victory. While this will boost the cost of tomatoes by a penny per pound, pickers will be able to afford to live to be able to pick tomatoes. Publix and Kroger’s are still refusing to sign, but there is a hunger strike planned outside of Publix’ corporate headquarters in Florida March 5th, as they are refusing to even meet with the workers.

What sort of people might be upset at such good news, you might ask? Meet the lions of Tennessee’s Most Christian Legislature. First up is Eric P Watson, who believes that, “the Occupy Nashville movement has actually exploited the homeless for their own political benefit. Such exploitation is condemned by Jesus and his followers.” Another outstanding fan of the Man from Galilee is Vance Dennis, who has inserted the no camping clause in the eviction bills. He’s also in favor of bullies inserting pain into children. You could say he wants to “stomp a mudhole” into helpless children, but that would deny Richard Floyd his moment in the slime light. You might say Our Most Christian Legislature is going “great guns” in it’s war on the unworthy, but it gets to be like shooting fish in a barrel.

A true Christian has spoken up.

This Tuesday is Valentine’s Day; why not show them some love? They’ll be outside Metro Board of Education on Bransford Ave with the United Steel Workers and the SEIU supporting staff unions.

Mavis and Jimmy provide some additional proselytizing.

“Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning” performed by Nigel McTrusty, from the album, “If I had My Way; A Cigar Box Guitar Tribute To Blind Willie Johnson,” available free.