A judge in Tennessee told officials Monday to stop using new rules to arrest Occupy protesters in Nashville. U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger’s directive effectively places a restraining order on a curfew that was put in place last week to deter protesters. Protesters have been arrested for violating a time restriction. The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee applauded the decision.
“Political expression deserves the highest level of protection and it was unacceptable for the state to suddenly shut down protesters’ speech and forcibly oust them from Legislative Plaza that has long been used as a place for peaceful expression,” said Hedy Weinberg, executive director at the ACLU of Tennessee. The new order will remain in effect for 21 days. A hearing will be scheduled at that point.
