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Connie Hughes Lucas stands with other members of Occupy Chattanooga when asked to make their presence known by occupier Miles Dougherty during the Chattanooga City Council meeting on Tuesday evening. Members of Occupy Chattanooga symbolically asked the City Council for permission to camp out in a public space although they asserted they would be camping out regardless of permission.Photo by Alex Washburn
Protesters with Occupy Chattanooga decided not to camp out at Ross's Landing tonight after Chattanooga Police Chief Bobby Dodd said they would be arrested if they stayed after the city's 10:30 p.m. curfew.
Instead, they'll stay on the sidewalks outside the Hamilton County Courthouse on Georgia Avenue, which Dodd said is fine as long as they aren't impeding foot traffic or sleeping on the sidewalk.
More than 100 Occupy protesters gathered in the City Council meeting tonight and told council members they planned to occupy the green space next to Ross’s Landing.
City Attorney Mike McMahan implored the protesters to go to Coolidge Park instead, saying the Head of the Hooch event had already reserved Ross’s Landing for Wednesday.
But they still can only be in the park from 6 a.m. until 10:30 p.m., he said.
Check back for more information and read tomorrow’s edition of the Times Free Press.
Cliff has worked for the Times Free Press for five years and covers Chattanooga city government. He previously covered Rhea County, as well as transportation and growth and development in Southeast Tennessee. A native of Maryville, Tenn., Cliff graduated in 2003 from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis on journalism. Before coming to Chattanooga, he was a crime reporter with Hernando Today, a supplement of The Tampa (Fla.) ...
Occupy assault. Be careful ladies. http://www.mrctv.org/videos/occupier-details-sexual-assaults-occupy-wall-street
America only encourage and support people in other countries to occupy and express their disatisfaction with their govenrment where there's oil and other natural resources it wants to control. Even teaming up with NATO to send in planes and bomb those dastardly rascal, rogue, oppressive governments. Obviously there's no oil wells in Chattanooga and Nasville?
Cobert at Occupy.
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/401092/october-31-2011/colbert-super-pac---occupy-wall-street-co-optportunity---stephen-on-location
I would like to Thank the City Council,Attorney and Police Chief for not letting this group do whatever they want. If the homeless can't camp out all night I sure don't want to see a bunch of hippies doing it.
Voicing your opinion does not guarantee you a place to lay your head. Speak all you want and good luck. You are enouraged to either go home or get a hotel room. We like that kind of stimulus to our economy.
If they do allow them to camp out. I will be picking a good spot to put up my tent during riverbend. The motels will never get a penny of my money again!
Yeah, lets continue to ignore the real crime problem in Chattanooga and threaten the "peaceful" protesters. How about you focus on the gang problems and all of the shootings that have been taking place.
jd2011,
It's not about "threatening the peaceful protesters". Chattanooga has a signature event that we had to work to obtain, the Head of the Hooch, that was moved here because of the unique venue and accommodations. There's all sorts of time to protest and places to do so. However, if you believe it's part of your entitlement to camp out anywhere and anytime you want, after a group has obtained all the necessary permits to hold an event that's on the calendar annually, you're wrong. Unfortunately, you'll believe you've been "targeted" and "mistreated" when arrested if you decide to break the law/rules. That will not be the case. You'll be trespassing based on the proper actions of another group who has acted appropriately.
I think that Chattanooga should follow the lead of Nashville and back off. What are we a military state?? Since when is it the land of the free when adults are limited to certain hours to be in PUBLIC areas???
THIS is why these people protest...our government and police are consuming way too much power for a government that was designed to be FAIR and BALANCED!
So, what do we tell the good folks of the Head of the Hooch who have obtained the permits, vendors are setting up tomorrow, and kids are on the way to Chattanooga to compete in an annual event our City worked to host? Is it now wide open for anyone, based on their "rights", to do anything at anytime? This is where your cause is overshadowed by your entitlement thinking and adolescent tactics.
I think its a shame when people cant protest in America, and its about time people stood up. Because most hard-working Americans just want a good paying job to support their families. People just dont understand how a BIG corporation can earn millions and pay no taxes and lower wages with less benefits.
The Head of the Hooch is worth 4.75 million dollars to the City of Chattanooga. That means jobs and dollars staying our community. The Occupy is worth ZERO in economic dollars. Go Occupy the Dam.
Oz, shhhhhhhh. The Head of the Hooch also helps corporations make profits by selling food and hotel rooms. shhhhhhhhhh. We do not want a riot on our hands.
There is a big grassy field at the flag pole in the center of the west side projects. Help yourselves and stay as long as you want.
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