NASHVILLE (AP) — 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.
A federal judge on Monday will hear the protesters' request for a temporary restraining order.
The curfew was adopted on Thursday, and at 3 a.m. on Friday, state troopers moved in and arrested 29 protesters. Troopers arrested 26 more the following night. On both occasions, the judicial commissioner refused to jail the protesters, and they were released.
Haslam's spokesman David Smith said it was inappropriate to comment on pending litigation.