Federal judge extends injunction on Occupy Nashville curfew policy

Friday, November 11, 2011, Vol. 35, No. 45

NASHVILLE (AP) - While Occupy Wall Street camps across the country are being evicted, Nashville protesters are staying put, at least for the time being.

On Thursday, federal judge Aleta Trauger signed an order for a temporary injunction barring the state from enforcing a hastily drawn-up curfew policy that was used to briefly dislodge the encampment.

The injunction does not prohibit the state from drawing up new rules for the grounds surrounding the state Capitol, and Gov. Bill Haslam has said his administration intends to do so.

Protesters had been camping at the Legislative Plaza for about three weeks when the curfew was announced Oct. 27. There were 55 arrests on Oct. 28 and 29. On Monday, a Nashville judge dropped charges against the protesters and ordered their records expunged.